THE controversial merger of Hamilton's two football clubs is off to a rocky start following the removal of coach Jake Myles.

The Kangaroos, a merger of the Hamilton Imperials and the Hamilton Magpies, have appointed Mick Edmonds to lead the club as it embarks on its inaugural season in the Hampden league.

In statement issued earlier this week, Chairman Paul Block said the decision wasn't made lightly.

"In hindsight we feel we have placed Jake (Myles) in an impossible position as a former coach of one of the merged clubs with the intense scrutiny, public passion and emotion this merger has caused," Block said.

"This new entity has created huge interest and much emotional debate in the town of Hamilton and the surrounding community. To place Jake in the position of senior coach and ambassador for the new club at this stage of his footballing career is unfair and unsustainable."

Myles, coach of the Hamilton Imperials last season and a former SANFL and QAFL midfielder, was appointed to the role in September after being selected by an independent panel that included renowned North Ballarat Roosters mentor Gerard FitzGerald.

His replacement, Edmonds, is also a extremely experienced football identity in the region with successful leadership stints at Hamilton Imperials in the Western Border league and with Warrnambool in the Hampden league.

His decorated playing career includes long stints with Norwood and West Torrens in the SANFL and with the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL.

"From what is a very difficult and emotional situation we believe this is an extremely positive result," Block said.

"Mick Edmonds is without doubt the most highly-credentialed football identity to come from this region in the past 25 years. He will have an amazing impact on the development of our young team and help us to build a strong Kangaroos brand," Block said.