Garth Brennan wants more time to rebuild Gold Coast as sacking speculation mounts

No rebuild is a short-term fix and Garth Brennan believes he needs more time to implement his vision for the Gold Coast Titans.

Could Brennan be coaching for his job against Brisbane. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

• DRAMAS: Peachey adds to Gold Coast’s woes

• ORIGIN: Job isn’t done yet

Besieged Garth Brennan says rebuilding the Gold Coast is not a “short-term fix” and has appealed for club bosses to support him as he fights to save his job at the struggling Titans.

Brennan is in danger of becoming the first NRL coach sacked this season with the Titans mentor buffeted by mounting speculation he is a dead-man walking ahead of Sunday’s derby against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Rated a genuine finals team this season, the Titans run out today on the verge of crisis. They are equal last with Canterbury and have been rocked by the loss of their star playmaker Ash Taylor, who took indefinite leave from the NRL on Friday to address some mental-health problems.

Under Brennan, the Titans have won just 11 of 36 games for a dismal success rate of 30.5 per cent. There is also persistent speculation Taylor has fallen out with Brennan, innuendo the coach has strongly rejected.

Brennan has won just 11 of 36 games. Picture by Gold Coast Titans.

The Titans finished 14th in 2018 in Brennan’s rookie year as an NRL coach and if the Gold Coast finish in the bottom four this season, the club board will come under pressure to sack the 47-year-old.

But Brennan insists he has not lost faith in the ability that netted three lower-grade titles at former club Penrith and is adamant he can bring success to the Titans.

“I believe I can get the job done,” Brennan told The Sunday Mail ahead of the showdown with the Broncos.

“I have not lost faith in my ability.

“If the powers-that-be think otherwise, well ... that’s out of my control.

“When I got here, I said I wanted to future-proof the Titans so that they were a long-term success and a not looking for a short-term fix.

“If the club decides I’m not the best person to take this club forward, that’s their choice, but I’m doing things in the best way I feel needs to be done to bring long-term success to the Titans.”

Under Brennan’s original deal, he had a two-year contract with an option for a third year in 2020 in the club’s favour.

Could Brennan be coaching for his job against Brisbane. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

The third season was contingent upon Brennan making the playoffs this season.

But Titans bosses took the bizarre step of waiving that top-eight performance clause and activating a 12-month extension for Brennan last November, despite the Gold Coast finishing third-last in his maiden campaign.

That means the Titans board faces the prospect of a payout if they are forced to sever ties with Brennan this year.

While the Titans’ on-field performances have been below par, Brennan argues there are other factors to consider, including the development structures he has implemented.

“At the end of the day, there is more to success than just results,” he said.

“I was employed to help this club be a development club.

“We don’t have the money or resources to be a recruitment club, we can’t buy a competition and expect a quick fix.

“I came here with a plan to develop this club and development requires a longer-term view.

“In the time I have been here, Jai Arrow came here from the Broncos as a bench player and is now a State of Origin player.

The Titans can’t buy a win at the moment. AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

“I have brought through AJ Brimson, Mo Fotuaika, Jai Whitbread and Jesse Arthars, there’s a lot of good kids who have come through in the last 18 months are now part of our first grade squad.

“That’s part of what I was brought here to do.

“I’m focusing on development and I think we have had success there.”

Last month, Titans co-owner Darryl Kelly told The Sunday Mail he expected Brennan to “do his job”, a directive which came just 24 hours before culture boss Mal Meninga was asked to perform a full review of the football department.

Meninga is expected to deliver his full report to the Titans board within four to eight weeks.

Asked if expects to be sacked, Brennan was pragmatic.

“I understand it’s a results-driven business,” he said. “What Darryl Kelly said about me recently is 100 per cent right. I get that. But it’s not about a short-term fix.

“I would like some time. I have come here with a plan. I’m trying to have locally-grown players playing for the Titans. It takes time. It won’t happen overnight. We’ve had success stories and as far as I’m concerned we’ve made some inroads.

“I’m holding up alright. I have a job to do and that’s what I’m focusing on. The rest of it is out of my control. I can’t worry what people think of me or what people are saying, what is going on behind the scenes I don’t know.

“I am doing my job and doing it the best I can.”

Originally published as Garth Brennan wants more time to rebuild Gold Coast as sacking speculation mounts