Outgoing Newcastle coach Rob Stanton has challenged the Jets' leadership to step up and "fix" the A-League Men club.
On Thursday, the Jets finally confirmed Stanton would be departing at season's end - something players had known for two months.
Socceroos great Mark Milligan looms as his replacement.
After Sunday's 2-1 home loss to Wellington, Stanton hoped that in his two years he had set good "foundations" for the club, who haven't played finals since making the 2017-18 grand final.
"It's getting close, and I feel like I've done some really good stuff here, but now it's up to the club to drive the vision and drive it right across the club," he told Paramount Plus in his first interview since the announcement.
"And (it's) not just one person carrying the weight of everything. It needs to be other others in the club need to probably step up and be leaders and drive the club forward.
"I think that's what the fans deserve, and I think they expect it."
Stanton insisted he wasn't angry at the club.
He was unwilling to go into detail as to why he and Newcastle parted ways, but challenged others to take the Jets forward.
"In the end, maybe a few people got involved that shouldn't get involved. And now people need to get involved because they (Newcastle) need that," Stanton said.
"They need to fix the club.
"The owners have come in, and they've got a job to do. As I said, it's going to take more people with strong leadership, set direction, get buy-in from fans. You're going to have to be strong there.
"Look, it is what it is. I accept it and I'm moving on ... I think we need to maybe move on so we can finish off the season as best we can."
Asked if he would take up another job quickly, Stanton said: "We'll see.
"Look, you never say never in football. I'd like a break."
Ninth-placed Newcastle (26 points) are seven points back from sixth-placed Sydney FC (33).
The Jets suffered a hammer blow before the game started.
Goalkeeper Noah James was ruled out through concussion after a stray shot from a teammate hit him in the face in the warm-up, with deputy Ryan Scott promoted at late notice.
Goals to Kosta Barbarouses and Kazuki Nagasawa in the 34th and 41st minutes put the Phoenix in control, before the Jets hit back in the 65th through a Josh Oluwayemi own goal.
Newcastle star Kota Mizunuma was incensed when he was booked for diving - and didn't receive a penalty - after going down in the area following a clip from Isaac Hughes in the 85th minute.
Despite a frantic ending, the Jets couldn't find an equaliser, with Josh Oluwayemi denying Wellissol at the death to deliver Wellington's first victory since January after an eight-game winless run.
"Sometimes when you go through a bit of a rough trot, you forget how to win," coach Giancarlo Italiano told Paramount Plus.
"I'll take the three points."
