Fleming steps down as Stars coach

Melbourne Stars head coach Stephen Fleming has joined countryman Daniel Vettori in leaving his KFC BBL club ahead of next season.

The Stars announced today that Fleming won’t be seeking an extension to his contract, despite leading his side into this season’s final, which they lost in a tense finish against the Renegades at Marvel Stadium.

Fleming has steered the Stars to two finals in his four years at the helm and will continue to be involved as the club's international talent advisor.

He joins Vettori in making his exit after the former Kiwi spinner departed his role as head coach of the Brisbane Heat.

"I feel the time is right for me to step down and allow someone else to take the reins and the club forward,” Fleming said in a statement.

"The club is in very good shape having rebounded from last in BBL|07 to grand finalist this season. Whilst we didn’t get the ultimate prize I’m confident that the group of players we have assembled will be motivated to go one further next season."

Fleming remains at the helm of the Chennai Super Kings, who he guided to last year's IPL title.

The Stars have made the finals in all but one of their eight BBL seasons, but their hunt for an elusive maiden title continues after going down to the Renegades in an extraordinary BBL final that included an astonishing collapse of 7-19.

Skipper Glenn Maxwell said his side will use the hurt of that loss as further motivation in BBL09.

"This will probably drive us next year and we'll use it as motivation to go one step further," he said. 

"We were so close, with eight overs (to go) we probably looked like winners. To fall that short is disappointing and it's hard to take.

"I'm sure once the dust settles and we get back to next year, we'll be able to put some more performances on the board with some more squad depth."