Ewen McKenzie will end his five-year tenure as head coach of the Waratahs at the end of the Super 14 season it was confirmed today.

McKenzie is the Waratahs's longest serving coach, having presided over 72 matches.

Waratah's CEO, Jim L'Estrange, and McKenzie reached an amicable agreement yesterday over the coaching position.

"Ewen's situation does not change for the rest of the Super 14 season, we still have a competition to win and we're right in the mix," said L'Estrange.

"We are absolutely committed to Ewen finshing the season [as coach]."

McKenzie was typycially pragmatic following the agreement not to renew his contract.

"Jim and I have been talking some time about the future and we had a really good meeting yesterday and I'm satisfied that we can now both move ahead," said McKenzie.

"We told the team before training yesterday, then went right on with the drop of preparing for Auckland.

"In an ideal world you'd like to go on and on, but this is professional sport and I've been in the job longer than anyone else, so I have had a good innings.

The good thing about this announcement today that it puts to bed the innuendo in the press that has unfairly distracted the team for weeks. Now we can concentrate on playing rugby"

NSW Rugby said the search for a new coach has begun with an announcement expected from the end of April.