Adelaide United have confirmed head coach Josep Gombau will leave the A-League club, with the Spaniard heading to New York to start his own academy.

Gombau was contracted to the Reds until the end of the 2016/17 season, but the club announced today they had reluctantly agreed to a mutual termination of the deal based on compassionate grounds.

The departure of Gombau means Barcelona legend and current Adelaide technical director Guillermo Amor will take over the reigns as head coach.

Gombau said the decision to leave Adelaide was a difficult one.

"The decision is because of family and finding a balance between my work and family life," Gombau said.

"The reason we're here is to explain this decision was the hardest decision I've made in my career.

"When I came I wanted to put a new philosophy into the club we wanted a new style.

"These are the things we have done and we have achieved our goals so far.

"Thanks to all the members, the staff in the club, and for everyone that has worked so hard to make my job easy.

"I will be the director at my own academy in New York and it's important for me to be closer to my home.

"I'll be coaching kids which is something I'm very passionate about."