Cronulla Sharks begin search for Shane Flanagan replacement
Following the resignation of grand final-winning coach Shane Flanagan, Cronulla face their most critical decision in a decade - finding a new coach with fresh ideas who can bring their talented squad together.
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A coach who can take Cronulla into a new era with fresh ideas and without ties to the current playing group.
Or the appointment of a head coach who has the keys to the club’s most successful template and formula.
The Cronulla board are braced with their most critical football department decision in almost a decade following the resignation of grand final-winning coach Shane Flanagan.
With just 32 days until the Sharks first pre-season trial match against Manly, a short-list of candidates has quickly emerged for a club which is hell-bent on ensuring their 2019 season doesn’t derail before its begun.
The Telegraph can reveal Sharks current caretaker coach John Morris, Penrith assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo, former Manly coach Trent Barrett and St Helens head coach Justin Holbrook have all been identified as replacements for Flanagan.
Dialogue with the short-list is expected to begin as early as Tuesday.
As the club’s interim head coach, Morris, 38, has a narrow advantage over the group.
Morris has spent the last nine years at the Sharks both as a player and coach of the under-20s and as an assistant to Flanagan.
Despite his earlier than expected rise through the coaching ranks, Morris’ deep understanding of the current playing group and intricate knowledge of the template which saw Flanagan take the Sharks to six of the past seven final series is also a major asset.
Morris has also made no secret of his desire to become the next head coach of Cronulla, using each day since taking over as interim coach to prove he’s ready and willing for rugby league’s pressure-cooker.
“The club know I’m ready to step up if required,’’ Morris told the press last week.
“I’ve said to (CEO) Barry (Russell) I’ll support whatever decision they make ... I’m confident if and when required I’m ready to go.’’
However, the Sharks board could view the departure of Flanagan as a line in the sand moment, with a desire to appoint a coach who can take the club in a new direction without fear or favour.
Ciraldo, 34, has been highlighted as that man.
Ciraldo, former Cronulla player, is Penrith coach Ivan Cleary’s assistant and has been building his coaching resume impressively since retiring in 2013.
National Youth Competition (under-20s) coach of the year in 2015 and 2016, Ciraldo has since coached Italy at the World Cup and was caretaker coach of the Panthers last season following the sacking of Anthony Griffin.
Within the game, Ciraldo is widely considered a ready-made NRL coach, a fact which led South Sydney to chase the rookie prior to their appointment of Anthony Seibold in 2018.
It’s believed Penrith wouldn’t stand in his way to secure the Sharks head coaching role.
Boasting NRL coaching experience, Barrett is also in the mix - without a job following his ugly departure from Manly at the end of last season.
The former Country Origin coach has shown he can coach, having steered Manly to the finals in 2017.
The 41-year-old is also acutely aware that the Sharks impressive 2019 roster - compared to the depth-poor squad of which he oversaw at Manly - would enable him the greatest chance to rebuild his coaching career.
Holbrook’s ability to secure an NRL coaching ticket would ultimately be determined by the willingness of Super League giants St Helens to grant him a release.
After seven seasons, which included guiding the club to its first premiership, Flanagan described the decision to sever ties with the Sharks “as the toughest of his 36-year rugby league career”, but in the best interests of the club.
Flanagan’s decision comes in the wake of an NRL suspension for alleged communication with the club during a period of being stood down by the code in 2014.
He has until January 31 to respond to the NRL’s findings.
“The last month has taken an enormous mental and emotional toll on my family and myself,’’ Flanagan said.
“I intend on responding to the notice issued by the NRL.
“However, I have made this decision in the best interests of the entire club and the players to allow the best possible preparation for the 2019 season without constant speculation and uncertainty as to who their head coach will be.
“I want to thank the Cronulla board and management, both past and present, as well as my dedicated coaching staff, all of whom I have worked closely with over the past seven seasons.
“I especially want to extend my gratitude to the many players who I have been fortunate to coach at Cronulla.
“Without doubt, I will hold the entire 2016 playing squad, staff, supporters and unforgettable achievement to deliver the club it’s first premiership, forever in my heart.
“I want to single out and thank the incredibly loyal Sharks supporters for their on-going support and last but certainly not least, I want to thank rugby league fans in general for their overwhelming support and messages over the years and more so over the past month.”
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