‘Absolute failure’: Des Hasler walking away from Gold Coast Titans

Des Hasler has reportedly walked out on the Gold Coast Titans after a drawn out saga that left the veteran coach a dead man walking.

Des Hasler is reportedly set to leave the Gold Coast Titans.

The veteran coach has been a dead man walking since it emerged earlier this year his contract with the club could be terminated at the end of this season if a clause of qualifying for the finals was not met.

According to leading NRL journalists Phil Rothfield and Andrew Webster, the move has already been made.

Rothfield said the decision will result in Hasler announcing his retirement.

The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis on Wednesday morning told SEN Breakfast the truth is that Hasler is walking away after reaching a mutual understanding.

This would normally involve some form of contract pay-out.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

Titans coach Des Hasler. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

“It’ll be called a retirement but it’s a mutual understanding,” he said.

“The Gold Coast Titans can call it whatever they like but Des won’t be the coach next season. It’s been an absolute failure.”

Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters was in May linked to the position when the drums started beating that Hasler was on borrowed time.

Hasler is one of the most successful coaches of the modern era, winning two premierships with Manly and making a grand final with the Bulldogs.

He left both those clubs in messy circumstances and ended up forcing both those clubs to offer financial settlements when his contracts were terminated.

The 64-year-old has the second worst winning record of any full-time Titans coach except for Garth Brennan.

It has been a turbulent period for the Gold Coast Titans and the club this week confirmed a massive private ownership restructure.

The Titans on Tuesday announced long-time benefactor Darryl Kelly has sold his half-share in the club.

Rebecca and Brett Frizelle have now assumed full ownership of the club.

Rothfield said on the Off The Record podcast the ownership change was a key factor in Hasler leaving.

“The mail I’m getting out of the Gold Coast is that Des Hasler will make an announcement very soon on his future,” he said.

Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler and captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Picture NRL photos

“Des has had particularly bitter exits from the Manly Sea Eagles and the Canterbury Bulldogs in his last two starts he’s under contract for next year.

“I have a feeling though after such a disastrous season that you heard it here first he will retire from rugby league.

“I think he’s 63 years of age. He’s been a wonderful premiership-winning coach, but I’m not sure he can do a lot better.

“He had a pretty fair roster this year so I’m told he’s now planning retirement and he’s not going to have a s*** fight to get the last year of his money. He’s got plenty Des.

“Look I think it’s the right thing, he’s been a great coach great character, but look it’s been really disappointing and they need a fresh start up there.”

Webster dropped an even bigger bombshell on the podcast, saying the club should potentially explore relocation.

“This lines up with the mail that I’ve got too. I’ve been hearing this for a while that the Frizelle’s have been keen to get control of the club in its entirety and to also just blow the whole thing up and start again,” Webster said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed the jumper. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made serious changes across the whole organisation.”

The Australian’s Webster went on to say: “The Gold Coast has been the Bermuda Triangle in rugby league forever and it’s time for it to work or not. And if it doesn’t, then I reckon they need to relocate it to the west of Brisbane.”

To add to the Titans woes, captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui over the weekend put club officials on notice when saying the club needs some direction.

Hasler began his senior coaching career with Manly in 2004 before he jumped ship to the Bulldogs while under contract.

He took the Bulldogs to the grand final in 2014 before leaving in 2017 while the club was left in a salary cap crisis.

He returned to Manly in 2019 and left in 2022, resulting in a legal dispute.

He was appointed coach of the Titans in 2023.

The Titans’ previous decision to axe Justin Holbrook to get Hasler in left many figures at the club disgruntled and resulted in Mal Meninga walking away from the club.