Shane Flanagan leaves St George Illawarra as head coach after winless start to NRL season
After another disastrous loss the winless the embattled club has parted ways with the underfire coach.
Shane Flanagan has been fired as coach of St George Illawarra following the Dragons’ winless start to the NRL season.
The last-placed side called a snap press conference on Monday morning at their Wollongong headquarters where St George Illawarra CEO Tim Watsford said the club had met with Flanagan and they had agreed to “parted ways”, while chairman Andrew Lancaster tried to stress Flanagan’s exit was a “mutual” decision..
Watsford said the club would support Shane’s son Kyle, who is a halfback on the team and whose form has come under scrutiny along with several Dragons stars.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Dragons had already been on the longest losing streak in club history before Saturday’s 30-12 loss to South Sydney made it 11 defeats in a row.
“I care deeply about this club and the playing group, and after discussions with the club, we agreed this was the right time for a change,” Flanagan said in a statement.
“I’d like to thank the players, staff, members and fans for their support and I wish the club well for the future.”
Flanagan’s axing comes less than nine months after the Dragons tied the 2016 premiership-winning coach to a new two-year contract extension.
The Dragons won only one game after the extension was announced; his new contract had been set to begin in 2027.
Flanagan is set to leave with a 35 per cent win rate, claiming 19 victories from 55 games since taking over for the 2024 season.
The decision comes only five days before the club’s most important game of the regular season, the traditional Anzac Day clash with the Sydney Roosters.
General Manager of Football Ben Haran has also left the club and the Dragons bosses also did not announce who would be taking over as the interim coach.
“These are not decisions anyone makes lightly. Shane and Ben have both worked hard for the club, and on behalf of the Dragons, I want to thank them for their efforts, their professionalism, and their commitment during their time here,” Watsford said.
“We wish them and their families all the best for the future.
“We will undertake a thorough process regarding the future of the football department, including the appointment of a permanent NRL Coach. We will do that carefully, efficiently, and with the long-term interests of the Dragons at the centre of every decision.
“Our focus now is on providing stability for the playing group and staff, supporting everyone through this transition, and ensuring the team is as prepared as possible for the weeks ahead, most notably this week’s Anzac Round clash against the Roosters.”
With AAP
