Mike McCarthy has left his role as Dallas Cowboys head coach after his contract expired following a disappointing season of seven wins and 10 defeats.

The NFL franchise’s owner Jerry Jones said “it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction” despite the Cowboys having an exclusive window until Tuesday to negotiate a new deal with McCarthy.

The 61-year-old spent five seasons in Dallas after succeeding Jason Garrett in 2020.

This year was his first losing season since his opening Covid-disrupted campaign.

However, he won just one play-off game during his tenure while suffering home defeats in the wildcard round in 2021 and 2023.

Jones praised McCarthy’s record and impact on “our team unity and culture”, calling him “a tremendous human being”.

The former Green Bay Packers head coach is unlikely to be out of work for long, with the Chicago Bears having made an official request to Dallas for permission to speak to him last week, which was denied.

The New Orleans Saints, external are also reported to be interested, having sacked head coach Denis Allen mid-season.

McCarthy is the fourth NFL head coach to leave his job following the conclusion of the regular season last week.

Antonio Pierce, Doug Pederson and Jerod Mayo were sacked by the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots respectively following losing seasons.