Newcastle target Roosters assistant coach Adam O’Brien as new coach
After being turned down by first choice Craig Fitzgibbon, Newcastle will return to the Sydney Roosters for the next in line to take over from Nathan Brown.
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A Sydney Roosters assistant coach is poised to be named head coach of Newcastle — but it’s not Craig Fitzgibbon.
The Daily Telegraph understands Adam O’Brien, who works alongside Fitzgibbon under head coach Trent Robinson at Bondi, is now hot favourite to replace Nathan Brown, who stood down before being sacked.
Newcastle informally approached Fitzgibbon last week and then made a formal approach to his agent, David Riolo, earlier this week.
The highly regarded O’Brien is also understood to have held informal talks with Newcastle last week.
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It appears Newcastle was aware Brown would leave even before the official decision was reached on Monday.
Despite being considered “a must” signing by Newcastle, Fitzgibbon has just agreed to a contract extension and told Robinson and Roosters chairman Nick Politis he would stay.
Knights football committee member John Quayle rang good mate Politis on Tuesday night to check on Fitzgibbon’s availability. Politis told Quayle that Fitzgibbon wouldn’t be moving.
With Fitzgibbon now scratched from the list, O’Brien, Jason Ryles, Jason Demetriou and Cameron Ciraldo remain candidates.
However, The Daily Telegraph has been told O’Brien is the raging favourite on a list of candidates created by Newcastle head of football, Brian Canavan, for club chief executive, Phillip Gardner.
Well-placed sources have indicated the Roosters would be frustrated if O’Brien left the club after just one year as an assistant coach at the Roosters. O’Brien is a former Melbourne Storm assistant coach.
“Newcastle formally approached us to have an interview,” Riolo said. “Fitzy said he was already committed to the Roosters and he’s happy there.
“Obviously he is flattered and he wants to be an NRL coach one day but feels at the moment he will keep growing and developing at the Roosters.
“Basically, he had already given his word to ‘Robbo’ (Robinson) and Nick (Politis) that he wouldn’t be leaving.”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was unable to contact O’Brien by phone or text message. It was a day off for the club but Robinson was keen to discuss O’Brien’s future with him.
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Newcastle’s owner, The Wests Group, is looking to appoint a rookie coach, the club electing against chasing a senior, recycled coach.
In just its second year as owner, Wests Group wants a young coach it can grow with together.
Over the past 48 hours, Newcastle have been inundated with calls from player agents pushing for their coaching clients.
Gardner will be assisted in driving the coaching change by the experienced and respected Quayle, along with Knights legend and fellow football committee member, Danny Buderus.
Wests Group considered Brown couldn’t take the “next step” at the club.
It is understood Wests Group indicated it would review Brown’s tenure, a moment when the coach knew he would be forced to stand down.
Brown knew he didn’t have the full support of his board and that he hadn’t secured the necessary on-field results.
Gardner will make a final recommendation before Wests Group’s board reaches a final decision.
The Knights are more than aware their next coach must fit the club’s unique culture.
New Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook may rue jumping at the Titans job given he may well have been a first-string contender for Newcastle. Holbrook is a former Knights player.
Originally published as Newcastle target Roosters assistant coach Adam O’Brien as new coach
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