Contract clause means Newcastle can sack coach Nathan Brown whenever they want

In a revelation that will put Nathan Brown’s job on the line should Newcastle crash to a poor season start, the Knights can axe their coach whenever they want.

Knights coach Nathan Brown now no room for failure. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

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Nathan Brown has admitted he could be sacked at “any moment” with the Knights coach confirming he signed an open-ended deal containing a clause that allows Newcastle management to terminate his contract whenever they want.

“I am not planning on going anywhere,’’ Brown said.

“Or expecting to have it activated but, yes, I signed a contract that allows them to pull the trigger at any time.’’

In a revelation that will put Brown’s job on the line should the Knights crash to a poor season start, Brown said the Knights could end his deal mid-year. Brown can also walk away from the deal whenever he wants.

Knights coach Nathan Brown now no room for failure. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

“There are no top-eight clauses,’’ he said.

“Nothing like that. It is just performance-based and with no timeline.’’

Brown, recruited to Newcastle in 2016 to replace Wayne Bennett, signed a first-of-its-kind coaching deal late last year.

“It just appeared as a much cleaner way of doing things,’’ Brown said. “With this deal there will be no lawyers or anything like that. None of the mess that we have seen. There will be a payout figure and a clean break.’’

Jacob Saifiti was one of those landing the club in trouble. (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Some are expecting Brown to soon be in the firing line following a spate of off-field indiscretions that have raised questions about leadership at the club.

Jacob Saifiti was hit with a whopping $50,000 fine, half of it suspended, for his role in an incident that resulted in him being knocked out and left with a broken leg last month. Tautau Moga has been charged with common assault after an ­incident with a taxi driver on Boxing Day. Another senior player has been spoken to about alleged misdemeanours.

“We have had a few minor incidents,’’ Brown said.

“And that has made us an easy target. But really we are ticking along quite nicely. I am quite happy with where we are at.’’

Brown is confident he can go on and challenge Michael Hagan as the club’s longest-serving coach after bringing Dave Klemmer, Kalyn Ponga, Mitchell Pearce and Jesse Ramien to ­Newcastle.

“The will be plenty of pressure,’’ Brown said.

“But I have been under that pressure since I got here in 2016. It comes with the job.’’

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