Shane Flanagan and the St George Illawarra Dragons are set to part ways.
Dragons leaders have called a press conference on Monday at 9.45am, with chairman Andrew Lancaster and CEO Tim Watsford expected to confirm Flanagan is no longer coach.
Flanagan’s future was in doubt after the club suffered a seventh loss to start the season on Saturday night.
Club officials have also been cautious about Flanagan’s well-being, with the coach appearing to be emotionally drained by the constant speculation about his future, not to mention the impact it is having on his family, including his son and Dragons player, Kyle Flanagan.
Flanagan has been diplomatic about his immediate future when asked multiple times in recent weeks.
Following the South Sydney game, Flanagan admitted it was a results-based business, and said: “I go into work every day, and all I can do is do my best to prepare the best players I can, and if it doesn’t work, and they decide to make another decision, well, I’ve got to live with it.”
Flanagan, 60, was in charge of Cronulla when they won their only premiership a decade ago, and took over the Dragons, the club he once played for, at the start of the 2024 season.
He becomes the second coach to be shown the door following Manly’s decision to ax Anthony Seibold after three defeats to start the year.
The big question for the Dragons will be who will take over as interim coach – Mick Ennis and Dean Young are the assistants – and whether one of them will be considered as a permanent replacement.
The Dragons take on the Roosters in Sydney’s annual NRL Anzac Day clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
More to come…
