Buzz: Newcastle Knights must nip speculation about Adam O’Brien in the bud

The Knights are on the cusp of finals football but there is still speculation about Adam O’Brien’s future. It’s no way to run a club, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Dominic Young of the Knights celebrates a try with team mates that was later disallowed during the round 22 NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights at GIO Stadium on July 29, 2023 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The Newcastle Knights have now won four-straight and are banging on the door to play finals football.

The last thing they need is speculation around the future of coach Adam O’Brien or anything that might destabilise the playing group.

There is no denying someone senior from within the Knights organisation spoke to ousted Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook last week.

But it wasn’t general manager of football Peter Parr, who is a huge supporter of O’Brien.

He is on the record as saying he wants him to continue to coach next year.

If the Knights make the finals it will be three out of four years since O’Brien got there.

Newcastle are reportedly interviewing replacements for coach Adam O'Brien. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

On Sunday night Parr said he had no knowledge of anyone from the club approaching Holbrook, not to say it hasn’t happened.

It was revealed recently that Newcastle businessman Jeff McCloy, who is closely connected to the club, had made an approach to Des Hasler before he signed with the Dolphins.

This forced Knights chief executive Phil Gardner to speak to the Newcastle Herald on the situation.

“We’re behind Adam and the team and we want them to perform as well as they can for the rest of the season,” Gardner said.

“Jeff’s a private individual who has no role with the club, other than he’s a Knights supporter, like so many people are in Newcastle.”

However Gardner wouldn’t give an iron-clad guarantee on the coach’s future.

“He’s got a contract with the club,” he said, “It’s that simple.

“We don’t come out and guarantee anyone’s tenure, whether that’s mine or anyone else’s.”

Knights CEO Phil Gardner. Picture: AAP Image/Darren Pateman

Gardner’s role in this is interesting.

He is a licensed club/poker machine expert but hardly a rugby league guru.

That is why he has hired Parr to run the football operation.

Yet at the same time he appears to be ignoring his advice on the coach.

It’s not a smart way to run a football club.

Originally published as Buzz: Newcastle Knights must nip speculation about Adam O’Brien in the bud