Jason Ryles told to leave the Sydney Roosters over broken promise

The Sydney Roosters’ have reportedly responded terribly to a broken promise from Jason Ryles – with their cutthroat demand revealed.

Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles looks on prior to the round 12 NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on May 19, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Sydney Roosters have made it clear they want assistant coach Jason Ryles gone from the club after he broke a promise to serve the club for three years by entering into negotiations to become the St George Illawarra Dragons head coach.

The 44-year-old former NRL front-rower is the unbackable favourite to take the reigns at the Dragons, a club he played 156 games for, after Anthony Griffin was sacked earlier this month.

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However the impending move has been looked upon dimly by the Roosters board given Ryles’ departure would mean he’s only served 18 months of a three-year deal at a club.

Ryles had reportedly promised the Roosters he would see out the duration of his three-year deal after the club was burned on previous occasions by assistants walking out early.

“The Roosters have a very strong board, and they take a very black and white approach to business, so they have decided that they actually want Jason Ryles to leave as their defensive coach, effective immediately,” James Hooper told Fox League’s NRL 360 on Wednesday night.

“Ryles has been in negotiations with St George Illawarra for about the last six weeks now.

“The Roosters will happily let him go. There won’t be any transfer fee or compensation required.

“But they have suggested to Jason and his management that the best thing to do is to go and cut a deal with the Dragons - get to the pointy end of it and just make a clean transfer.

“They’ve got a bye this week and I don’t think that he suits up and is in the coaching box against Canterbury next week.”

Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles is on the outer. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Having lost Adam O’Brien to Newcastle in 2018 in extremely similar circumstances, the Roosters are clearly fed up with losing talented coaches midway through their contracts.

“The Roosters feel that you shake hands with somebody, and you look them in the eye and Jason Ryles initially began that job as their defensive coach,” Hooper said.

“He gave his word that he would be there for the three seasons but we’re not even 18 months into it and he’s now going to end up at the Red V.

“In all likelihood, Ryles will be announced next week (at the Dragons). He can then make a clean break and make the transition straight into the Dragons.

“Ryan Carr will still be the caretaker coach this year, but it allows Jason to go and find a head of recruitment, a new General Manager of Football and the assistants that he wants to work with.”

Roosters head coach Trent Robinson reportedly pushed for the Roosters to hold onto Ryles for the year. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Ryles’ negotiations with the Dragons are dragging on over the length of contract provided to the former NRL star for his first head coaching gig.

His manager George Mimis is reportedly pushing hard for a five-year deal, similar to the one handed to rookie Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo in 2022, however the Dragons are believed to prefer a three or four-year deal.

Given the turbulence at the Dragons in recent years it’s no surprise Ryles is so far refusing to budge over the length of contract.

A five-year deal will give him the ability to morph the team to his exact liking without the short-term pressure of his contract coming up for expiry.

Fox League’s James Hooper reports the Dragons are currently in the market for a new head of recruitment and general manager of football to work with Ryles.