Craig Bellamy set to stay at Melbourne Storm until end of 2026, Gold Coast Titans on alert as coach prepares to relocate

Craig Bellamy’s glittering career at the Storm could be coming to an end, with the coach set to make a call on his Melbourne future and make a move that has piqued the interest of the Gold Coast Titans.

Craig Bellamy is set to confirm on Thursday morning that he will remain at the helm of the Melbourne Storm for one more year, providing the club with a 12-month runway to identify his successor and piquing the interest of the Gold Coast Titans as he prepares to relocate to the Glitter Strip.

Bellamy has one year remaining on his rolling long-term deal with the Storm and this masthead understands that there are no guarantees he will continue as Melbourne coach beyond 2026.

In fact, it seems more likely that Bellamy will either take on a reduced role or walk away as he looks to move to the Gold Coast.

Bellamy’s plan to move to south-east Queensland is believed to have put the Titans on red alert as the club looks to end years of mediocrity.

There has already been speculation of contact between the Bellamy camp and a party acting on behalf of the Titans to gauge his interest in joining the club at some point in the future.

Titans coach Des Hasler has a contract until the end of next year, although the final year of his deal is only guaranteed if the Gold Coast qualify for the finals.

The potential to land Bellamy would be cathartic for a club which has laboured in recent years.

The Broncos may also take a look at Bellamy if they continue to struggle and he becomes available on the open market after next season.

2026 could be Craig Bellamy’s last year in charge of the Storm. Picture: Damian Shaw

The Storm, meanwhile, have the next 12 months to prepare for life without one of the game’s greatest coaches.

Bellamy has been at the helm of the Storm for more than 20 years, a period during which the club has enjoyed unprecedented success.

Craig Bellamy has a dazzling resume with Melboure.

Filling his shoes shapes as a monumental task for his replacement, with assistant coach Marc Brentnall believed to be the leading candidate.

Queensland coach and Storm legend Billy Slater also enjoys support but seems committed to his commentary career along with Origin coaching.

Brentnall, the son of former Bulldogs and Kangaroos fullback Greg Brentnall, is known to have the backing of key figures at the club and has served a long apprenticeship under Bellamy.

Bellamy took over as Storm coach in 2003 and has led the club in 580 games, winning a remarkable 70 per cent of his games in charge.

He has led the club to three premierships during that time and rebuilt the Storm after the devastation of the salary cap scandal in 2010.