LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Concerns are surfacing regarding the coaching situation at the Newcastle Knights, following reports that Adam O'Brien is likely to be dismissed this week, with assistant Blake Green emerging as a leading candidate for the role. Former Titans coach Justin Holbrook is also being considered as a potential replacement for O'Brien, who was reportedly informed during a Newcastle board meeting on Tuesday that he would not continue with the club next season.
The Knights are expected to announce O'Brien's departure on Thursday, despite him having two more years remaining on his contract. News Corp league reporter Dean Ritchie mentioned on NRL 360 that O'Brien could receive a payout between '$300,000 to $500,000' as both parties agreed to a mutual exit.
Knights attack coach and former NRL player Green is seen as the frontrunner to succeed O'Brien. However, doubts are arising over whether Green is the right choice to guide the team forward, especially after a challenging season in which the Knights have only won six matches and currently sit second-last on the ladder, with the league's least effective attack.
"What concerns me is you're going to promote within the system that's been failing," commented Cronulla great Mat Rogers on SEN radio regarding Green's potential appointment. While acknowledging Green's respect among the players, Rogers highlighted that the role of a positional coach differs significantly from that of a head coach.
"There's no pressure on you, there's none," he added. "You're not the one sitting under the pressure. It's a very different ball game when you become the head coach; you can't be everyone's friend then."
Veteran Fox League reporter Paul Crawley pointed out the notable fact that both O'Brien and Green share the same manager, suggesting that it raises concerns within the club. He also questioned Green's qualifications for the top position and recommended that the Knights should widen their search for O'Brien's successor. "That's what concerns me about what's happening at the Knights at the moment," Crawley stated on NRL 360. "Isaac Moses has gone in there with one client today, and he will emerge with another client taking over the job."