Gold Coast Titans announce Mal Meninga will join them as head of performance and culture

THE Titans have made a major signing ahead of the 2019 season, after this morning announcing Mal Meninga will be joining the Glitter Strip club.

Mal Meninga will join the Gold Coast Titans next season.

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RUGBY league Immortal Mal Meninga has declared he has not arrived at the Gold Coast to “take over” but to simply help the Titans become a powerhouse club of the NRL.

The Gold Coast revealed this morning that they have signed the former Queensland coach as their head of performance and culture for the next three years, in a move that is sure to boost the Titans on and off the field.

Rugby league legend Mal Meninga fronts the media with Dennis Watt, flanked by Rebecca Frizelle and Joanne and Darryl Kelly. Picture: Supplied

The major signing is just another step forward for the Gold Coast as they push to become a serious force in the NRL and it’s an opportunity Meninga jumped at given his desire to return to club level in some capacity.

Given he will also be able to continue his tenure as Australian coach, Meninga said he was excited by what possibilities lay ahead with the Titans.

However, he was also adamant he has not arrived to put any pressure on coach Garth Brennan, who will oversee just his second season of NRL next year.

Rugby League Immortal and Australian Test Coach Mal Meninga has joined the Gold Coast Titans as the club’s business-wide, Head of Performance and Culture, to help drive a winning environment across the entire organisation.

📰➡️https://t.co/EwiOThnarp#WEAREREADY pic.twitter.com/WEU9MVdDBe

— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) November 7, 2018

“That’s not me,” Meninga said when asked if he would ever take over the coaching reins.

“I’ve built a career on my integrity, I’ve built a career on my reputation.

“I’m not a demanding person. I’m here to help. I’m not here to take over.

“I’m not going to be coaching. That’s one of the things we discussed. Garth is the coach.”

Meninga’s actual role will be wide-ranging as the Titans look to not only make the top eight next season, but also strengthen their stance within the Gold Coast community.

Mal Meninga says he’s not heading to the Titans to undermine coach Garth Brennan (centre).

He will commence work from today – with his family to move up from Canberra to join him – and said his first step will be to simply pick the brains of everyone who is at the club.

“I’m across all parts of the organisation,” Meninga said.

“It’s about assisting all parts of the business to reach their potential. I’ve been involved in the game for a long, long time … I do want to get back to the clubland.

“It’s a two-way benefit which I’m looking forward to.”

However, the Maroons and Kangaroos great admitted he was nervous about his new role and the expectations that would come with him being attached to the Titans.

Mal Meninga comes to the Titans after a legendary stint as Queensland Origin coach.

“I’m nervous about it, don’t get me wrong,” he said.

“But I’m really excited to be part of it.

“We all love pressure. That’s why we do it sometimes … why we’re mad enough to do it.

“From the ownership right down to the guy who runs the water on the field, it’s all part of what we love, what we want to do.”

Executive chairman Dennis Watt made the announcement this morning alongside Meninga and revealed that he, along with owners Darryl and Joanne Kelly and Rebecca and Brett Frizelle, were the ones who initiated the discussions with Meninga.

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