Cronulla Sharks sign Craig Fitzgibbon as head coach on three-year deal

After days of speculation, the Cronulla Sharks have reportedly come to a decision on who will coach the NRL club in 2022 and beyond.

Sharks head coach John Morris.

Sydney Roosters and NSW Blues assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon has officially signed a three-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks.

The 43-year-old will take over as Cronulla’s head coach at the end of the year, with Cameron Ciraldo is expected to be named his assistant coach.

According to Fox Sports reporter James Hooper, the deal was approximately worth $1.5 million.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

After days of speculation, Sharks chief executive Dino Mezzatesta reportedly informed John Morris he would not have his contract renewed on Tuesday.

The Sharks later confirmed Morris had parted ways with the club, effective immediately — assistant coach Josh Hannay will take over the role on an interim basis.

Cronulla players were reportedly informed of the decision via text message.

See following a statement from the Cronulla Sharks.

— Cronulla Sharks (@Cronulla_Sharks) April 13, 2021

“This decision was certainly not lightly taken, much discussion and consideration took place at Board and Management level before Craig was approached and now appointed, and we are thrilled he has accepted the position,” Mezzatesta said in a statement.

“Craig has served a long and successful apprenticeship under Trent Robinson at the Roosters and alongside Brad Fittler at a State level and we are confident he can emulate that success as a head coach here at the Sharks.

“However, in announcing the appointment, we need to acknowledge the contribution John Morris has made at the Cronulla club as a player, development and 20’s coach, NRL assistant, and as our head coach in 2019-2020 and to this point in our 2021 season.

“As coach John has brought through a number of promising youngsters to where they are now performing at an NRL level, his work ethic can’t be questioned and there is little doubt he has a bright future as a coach in the NRL. We certainly wish him future success.

“The decision made by the Club was an extremely difficult one however we now back the appointment of Craig, look forward to the future and to him taking the team to the next level in delivering success in 2022 and beyond.”

Craig Fitzgibbon.

Fitzgibbon has been an assistant coach with the Roosters for eight years, helping the club secure three NRL premierships — he will see out the remainder of the 2021 season at the Roosters.

The Daily Telegraph first reported Morris was a dead man walking after Cronulla’s loss to the Roosters on Saturday, with news progressing that Fitzgibbon would replace him next year.

The decision surprised many rugby league pundits — Morris had guided the Sharks to consecutive finals campaigns in 2019 and 2020.

However, Cronulla’s poor record against the NRL’s powerhouse clubs has been a point of concern — the Sharks have lost their last 11 games against Melbourne, Sydney, Penrith, Parramatta, South Sydney and Canberra.

Speaking on Fox League’s Sunday Night with Matty Johns, Cronulla playmaker Shaun Johnson lamented the decision as “disappointing”.

“He hasn’t had any control over the roster, he’s been in a situation where our cap has been shot the last couple of years and he’s made do with what he’s got,” Johnson said.

“He’s got us all on board, so I genuinely can’t speak highly enough of him.”

Congratulations to Craig Fitzgibbon on his appointment to coach @Cronulla_Sharks from 2022. An outstanding man. 20 years in Rooster system. He’s given great service. He will be well prepared for what’s ahead. His dad was a great coach. It’s in his blood. Sharks have a good man.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 13, 2021

Craig Fitzgibbon is a great man and is likely to do an excellent job. My problem is not his appointment but the manner in which John Morris has been treated behind the scenes https://t.co/ENHMJap26M

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) April 13, 2021

This whole John Morris situation. I am shook. #JusticeForJohn

— Darcie McDonald (@DarcieMcDonald) April 13, 2021

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sharks captain Wade Graham warned the coaching saga could derail the club’s 2021 campaign.

“The best thing moving forward would be for the club to make a decision either way as quick as possible so we can put it behind us and move on for the rest of the season,” Graham said.

“From a player’s point of view, it’s not ideal. It can become a distraction if we let it. So hopefully there is a resolution as soon as possible.

“Our point of view is the speculation is unfair on the players, on John, on the club and the members and the fans.

“The situation isn’t great and … until a decision is made there is going to be continued speculation.

“We’re all thinking a decision has to be made.

“My job as a senior player is to try and keep the boys as focused as I can and try and focus on the results.”

John Morris.

READ MORE: Mixed messages exposed after $1m flop axed

Queensland great Ben Ikin was less than impressed with the club’s decision to part ways with Morris.

“I think this has well and truly been over-thought, over-designed by a couple of blokes who haven’t been in the job all that long,” Ikin told NRL 360 on Monday.

“You’ve got a guy here who is seemingly doing a great job being given a tough ask, coming into a club that had a head coach previously suspended, some big personalities, less money than all the other clubs because of the fines.”

“When you’re on a board, there is really only one KPI you want from your head coach, is he advancing your program? And I think everybody was surprised by how well the Sharks have been playing this year which says to me he knows how to coach.

“More than anything, if you’re a player wanting to come to a club, better than the reputation of the head coach, you want to see the club’s aligned from the chairman to the CEO to the head coach. This would be a red flag to me knowing what John Morris has done, how long he’s been in that system, if I’m the head coach coming into that system, I’m worried.”

Fitzgibbon played 19 Test matches for Australia and 11 State of Origin games for New South Wales in a celebrated playing career.