Sydney Roosters drop Jason Ryles bombshell as Dragons hunt new coach

The Sydney Roosters have been left seething after assistant coach Jason Ryles reportedly went back on his word to meet with a rival.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Sydney Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles during the round five NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Parramatta Eels at Allianz Stadium on March 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The relationship between Jason Ryles and the Sydney Roosters has fallen apart as a result of the former NRL star’s negotiations to become the next head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons.

As the Dragons’ hunt for a new head coach kicked off, Ryles’ name appeared atop the list of those expected to land the gig.

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The negotiations between the two parties however have left the Roosters with a sour taste in their mouths and has seen them drop a bombshell on the club’s assistant coach.

Fox Sports’ James Hooper reports Ryles has been told his contract with the Roosters will be over at the end of the 2023 season, a year early, a decision that will be upheld even if he misses out on the Dragons role.

Some Roosters personnel were so furious they wanted Ryles moved on effective immediately.

Ryles had reportedly guaranteed the club he would see out his three year contract, but that all changed when the Dragons opportunity presented itself.

The bitter falling out has seen Ryles firm in betting markets to take over at the Dragons.

Ryles is eyeing off the Dragons role. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Ryles’ demands to take on the role centre around the Dragons offering him a five-year deal with many believing an announcement could come as soon as this weekend.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie reports that Ryles’ contract demands come with significant changes for the struggling club.

Not only is the expected coach to be chasing a lengthy deal, he’s set to seek considerable input in recruitment, retention and team selection according to Ritchie.

The Roosters on the other hand are set to be seeking a six-figure compensation should Ryles cut short his deal to become the Dragons’ next head coach.

“I think the Roosters feel as though they might have been a little bit misled,” Hooper said on NRL 360.

“They were told as recently as a month ago, there was no way that Jason Ryles was going to be interested in the Dragons’ job whatsoever.

“The Dragons were saying that a month ago as well, so something has changed. There has been a circuit breaker.”

It’s not the first time an assistant has departed the Roosters coaching stable early, with Adam O’Brien leaving to take over as the Newcastle Knights coach.

The Roosters aren’t happy with Ryles. Picture: NRL Photos

The Dragons ended months of speculation this week when they gave Anthony Griffin his official marching orders on Tuesday.

But in the wake of the axing the club was dragged over the coals for allowing players to front up to the media before they were informed.

“The way the players were treated to start with was disgraceful, how you can make a decision the club is sacking the coach and hten put the players up for media … that’s just diabolical management,” Paul Crawley said on NRL 360.

David Riccio added: ““Why those players were still put forward to the press is beyond me. It speaks to the mismanagement of this entire scenario.”

The club said Dragons assistant coach Ryan Carr will assume interim coaching duties this weekend when they take on the Roosters.