Mark McCall has resigned as Ulster's head coach. The announcement came after he met with chief executive Michael Reid and chairman Cecil Watson yesterday morning and ended the speculation that followed the province's Heineken European Cup defeat to Gloucester at Ravenhill last Friday night, John O'Sullivanreports.

The 39-year-old didn't attend the post-match press conference and a statement on his behalf said he wouldn't be available to the media over the weekend. McCall ended his three-and-a-half-year reign following a typically honest appraisal of his situation.

"For so long the good bits (of the job) outweighed the bad bits but it seemed to me the reverse had become the case. My time was up and I knew the team and the squad needed a new person. It has been a brilliant job and I really loved my time here. In the three and a half years I realised that I had no day off.

"There was always something to do, always something to get my head around. The strain of that was not worth it. I felt the time had come for someone else to take over. I know I have done the right thing."

In a statement Reid noted: "Mark McCall tendered his resignation to myself and chairman Cecil Watson on Monday evening. This offer was considered and accepted with regret by the professional team management committee (PTMC) later that night.

"I have met with Steve Williams (McCall's assistant) who has taken charge of team affairs with immediate effect. The poor results this season have been very difficult for us all and ultimately have brought us to where we are today. However, I believe strongly that the following should be recorded.

"Mark McCall has been an outstanding, committed coach for Ulster, meticulous in his preparation and he endeavoured to create an environment of empowerment for the players. During his three years in the job, nine players received international recognition, a greater number of new caps than at any stage since the game turned professional, and an achievement which was down to the player identification and hard work of Mark and Allen Clarke.

"Over the weekend, one Sunday paper quite rightly stated: "If Mark McCall came into work any earlier he would meet himself leaving" - his drive, passion and enthusiasm for Ulster rugby is immense. Mark McCall took on this job at a time when there was little money available in comparison to England and France with their owners and major commercial backing.

"He has worked hard to deliver a competitive team on what has not been a level playing field. The undoubted highlight of Mark's tenure as coach was our Celtic League win in 2006, such a success over a full season of rugby was a remarkable feather in his cap, and a personal success of which he was justifiably proud.

"I have had the pleasure of watching Mark McCall grow from Ulster player to assistant coach to head coach, and would thank him personally and on behalf of the chairman and the PTMC for his time with Ulster rugby. The PTMC will now commence the process of recruitment for a permanent coach."

McCall won 13 caps at centre and captained Ulster during the early part of their European Cup winning campaign in 1999 until a neck injury forced him to retire prematurely. He was immediately drafted into the Ulster coaching set-up where he assisted head coach Harry Williams, a position he retained when South African Alan Solomons took over.

He assisted Matt Williams in coaching Ireland A for two seasons and was appointed Ireland Under-21 coach at the start of the 2003-04 season before taking up the Ulster senior position in July 2004.

McCall wasn't at yesterday's press conference announcing his departure and the media were furnished with another statement, which noted: "Over the last three and a half years it has been an absolute privilege for me to have been coach of Ulster. Winning the Celtic League two seasons ago was a huge highlight and it has been very rewarding to watch the Ulster representation in the Irish squad rise year on year.

"During my time I have received fantastic support from the Ulster Branch and I am grateful to have worked with a very professional management team who have become friends as well as colleagues. I believe the time is right for someone else to take the team forward and I would like to wish all concerned every success in the future."

Ulster began their Celtic League season with a home win over the Ospreys but there followed morale-sapping away defeats to Edinburgh, the Dragons and the Scarlets. A gutsy second-half display against Leinster earned a home draw but a further heavy loss in Glasgow heightened the pressure.

The province conceded five tries in a lacklustre first half performance against Gloucester, effectively ending their hopes of qualification after one match. His record read: won 26, drawn two and lost 33.

During his tenure Bryan Young, Rory Best, Matt McCullough, Roger Wilson, Neil Best, Stephen Ferris, Isaac Boss, Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble were capped by Ireland.

Williams will take charge for Friday night's European Cup trip to Bourgoin.