LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a surprising twist, it has been revealed that the Newcastle Knights hold the power to boot head coach Adam O'Brien if the team finds themselves languishing in the bottom five of the NRL ladder during the final stretch of the 2024 season.
This clause, akin to a red card in a crucial match, adds an extra layer of pressure on O'Brien as he navigates the coaching realm.
O'Brien's rollercoaster ride in Newcastle saw a remarkable turnaround in the latter half of the 2023 season, akin to a team coming from behind to clinch victory in the dying moments of a game.
From potential wooden spooners to securing a spot in the top eight, with a thrilling home finals win against the Canberra Raiders followed by a roadblock against the New Zealand Warriors in the semis, O'Brien's coaching prowess was on full display.
However, beyond this shining moment, O'Brien has faced an uphill battle.
Reports from The Sydney Morning Herald have now brought to light a clause in O'Brien's contract, inserted during his re-signing last year, that spells out the consequences should the team falter and slip into the bottom five - the dreaded 13th spot or lower on the ladder - in the final three rounds of this season.
This move to potentially oust O'Brien only comes into play for the last two years of his contract, in 2026 and 2027, giving him the 2025 season to prove his worth and rally the Knights to a renewed sense of confidence in his leadership for the following years.
The 2024 season stands out as the lone year with specific performance-based stipulations in the coach's agreement, setting the stage for a high-stakes campaign filled with pressure-cooker moments for O'Brien and his team.