Last year's Illawarra Premier League premiership-winning coach Rob Jonovski has announced he will depart the club at the end of the 2020 season.

Jonovski told the Mercury that the effect of COVID-19 had taken its financial toll, and the club would look to go in a different direction in 2021.

"It's no fault of the club's... [but] I feel it will be a bit hard to retain a lot of the players that I've helped develop," he said.

"I went in there and did a rebuilding of Corrimal Rangers three years ago. I'm not prepared to do that again at Corrimal. Like I said, it's not anyone's fault and I feel sorry for a lot of people there. They're just going in a different direction and I feel like it's the time for someone else to step in and drive that club forward."

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Jonovski had been in talks with the club for a couple of weeks, but sat down with Rangers president Claude Guido and his IPL players to inform them of his decision this week.

"It was very emotional, there was a bit of tears. There's a lot of respect there, a lot of love for the club, and the feelings are mutual there for everyone," he said.

"I said after that, maybe it's like The Last Dance, you know. Some of the players may not play together. And that's football, coaches move on and players move on. But there's true emotions down there with the club and players."

Playing a role in helping Corrimal win their first Football South Coast title in 46 years ranks as the standout moment for Jonovski during his tenure.

The Rangers secured a 2-1 win over Wollongong Olympic in the 2019 IPL grand final last September.

"That's the highlight, definitely," Jonovski said.

"When I came in there three years ago, there was one year of rebuilding, then second year was very successful with the Frat Cup and grand final win. At the beginning of this year, we were ready to challenge for the title. But it's just a dream in the dust now."

Jonovski told the Mercury in January that Corrimal were prepared for a 'target on our backs in 2020', but a combination of injuries and unavailability has meant they are yet to field their strongest side.

The Rangers have clinched just one win so far and sit in seventh spot on the IPL ladder after six rounds.

"I've got a lot of kids playing, my whole backline are kids. I've got an 18-year-old goalkeeper in Kaydin Harrison," Jonovski said.

"But it is what it is: we just can't get the win. We're playing excellent, but you just can't get the win."

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As for the future, Jonovski is focused on the rest of Corrimal's 2020 campaign. They return to the field on Saturday night to tackle South Coast United at Ian McLennan Park.

However, Jonovski hasn't ruled out a possible return to coaching in 2021 or beyond.

"My wife's pretty happy that I might not coach next year," he said.

"I'm still concentrating on this year to be honest. If clubs approach me, I'll sit down and talk to them. But I've got to buy into the project. I'm not going to coach for the sake of coaching.

"But we'll see what happens, we're just focusing on trying to do something with this year."