After leading nine PBA championships, Leo Austria will no longer call the shots for San Miguel Beermen.

The former coach will be replaced by Jorge Gallent as SMB’s new chief tactician in the 2022-23 PBA Governors' Cup.

Team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed that the former coach spoke with the management to request a temporary coaching leave due to 'personal reasons' ending his 8-year run leading San Miguel.

Austria, however, will remain with the coaching staff as a team consultant.

Gallent, 54, previously led the team in seven games during the 2022-'23 Commissioner's Cup taking a 6-1 standing, after Austria was placed under the league's health and safety protocols.

This will be his first time handling a team since B-Meg, the now Magnolia Hotshots, in 2010-2012.

Meanwhile, Gallent’s coaching debut for Beermen will start on Jan. 29 against Phoenix at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.