Des Hasler: Mayor Tom Tate backs Gold Coast Titans coach to stay on as NRL team struggles
The campaign to keep Des Hasler as the head coach of the struggling Gold Coast Titans is gaining momentum, with one of the city’s leading figures making a plea to club bosses.
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Mayor Tom Tate has pleaded with Gold Coast Titans bosses to keep Des Hasler as head coach, saying he deserves more time to make his mark on the team.
The Glitter Strip NRL franchise is in crisis, with key playmaker David Fifita being shopped to rival clubs after being dropped by the first-grade side, while the club’s poor start to 2025 has led to questions about Mr Hasler’s future in the top job.
The club is 17th on the ladder and a very longshot to be in finals contention.
It was revealed earlier this week there were several performance clauses in Hasler’s contract which could trigger his exit, including the need to finish in the top eight if Mr Hasler wants to guarantee being kept on for a third season.
Mr Tate, a rugby league fan, said Mr Hasler deserved better than to be dropped, insisting he was “doing a good job”.
“The results have not been fair and it’s a long term (project),” he said.
“Des inherited those players, they weren’t his picks and if this was a brand new team that he had picked, I’d be saying it’s fair enough.
“But when there’s already existing contracts and players there who maybe have different styles from what he needs then you have to give him some time.
“It’s only fair that the clause is not enacted and I’d be disappointed if it was.”
The Titans have won just 10 of their 31 games under Mr Hasler, putting him second worst of the past five coaches.
It’s understood the Titans would not endure any financial repercussions if it dropped the premiership-winning coach at the end of the season due to the performance clauses.
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell declined to comment earlier this week.
“We can’t speak to the terms of employment or any employee’s conditions,” he said.
“It is confidential.”
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