The St George Illawarra Dragons have parted methods with coach Shane Flanagan after seven straight losses to start out the 2026 NRL season.
Beginning 2026 with a formidable displaying to push Canterbury to golden level in Las Vegas, the Dragons have misplaced each sport this 12 months, together with a 30-12 defeat to the Rabbitohs on Saturday.
Basic supervisor of soccer Ben Haran has additionally been let go, with Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster describing them as “good folks underneath a major quantity of stress”.
The membership stated Flanagan’s alternative can be revealed after the membership spoke to the remainder of the teaching workers.
Whoever replaces Flanagan will be a part of a rising checklist of Dragons mentors, together with his removing marking the third time prior to now six years that the membership has modified coaches mid-season.
Flanagan took over in 2024 after Anthony Griffin was let go the earlier season.
He led the workforce to finishes of eleventh and fifteenth earlier than his tenure ended with the Dragons in final place.
“I care deeply about this membership and the taking part in group, and after discussions with the membership, we agreed this was the precise time for a change,” he stated in an announcement.
“I might wish to thank the gamers, workers, members and followers for his or her assist and I want the membership nicely for the long run.”
Dragons chair criticises ‘private agendas’ within the media
Kyle Flanagan has been a continuing within the Dragons halves whereas the workforce struggled in recent times (Getty Photos: Ian Hitchcock)
Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster stated the media hypothesis round Flanagan’s place on the membership, the place his son Kyle performs within the halves, has taken a toll.
Kyle’s signing was introduced in September of 2023, simply three months after Shane’s three-year deal was introduced, and he has performed 50 of a doable 55 video games with various completely different halves companions.
The connection between father and son has sparked questions on perceived favouritism as media hypothesis swirled across the membership.
“A variety of it completely deserved, a few of it poor and a few of it about private agendas,” he stated.
“Our protection of this nice sport, this nice membership needs to be higher.”
Lancaster, who insisted the departure was a “mutual settlement”, stated the impacts of hypothesis round Flanagan, on conventional and social media, “have not been nice”.
Andrew Lancaster (left) and Tim Watsford have spoken about Shane Flanagan’s departure. (ABC Information: Penny Burfitt)
In August final 12 months, Flanagan’s contract was prolonged by to the top of 2028 with chief govt Tim Watsford saying on the time that Flanagan had laid the inspiration for the membership’s future and “re-instilled perception in our taking part in group, coaches and supporters”.
The Dragons have utterly modified tack eight months and 12 video games later.
“I do not know we’re ready to justify a call,” Lancaster stated.
“As a membership [and] an employer there’s a responsibility of care, not simply to the membership, to its supporters and followers, however to our workers,” he stated.
“And quite a lot of what’s transpired over the past week, the conversations we have had, have been about that.”
Watsford stated final 12 months that Flanagan’s re-signing was proof of the membership’s dedication to “constructing a sustainable future”, somewhat than specializing in short-term objectives.
“The Dragons are happy with the progress that’s being made and stay centered on persevering with the journey towards constant finals competition, pushed by a dedicated group of gamers, workers, and dependable supporters,” he stated.
“That is an thrilling period for the Pink V; one constructed on resilience, native pleasure, and an unwavering perception sooner or later.”
The extension got here days after the Dragons beat ladder leaders Canberra. The workforce beat equally finals-bound Cronulla a day later, however then began an 11-game dropping streak that’s but to finish.
They wrapped up final 12 months with 4 straight losses, thrice conceding 40 factors, as Flanagan’s aspect slipped to fifteenth on the ladder to proceed a run of seven straight years lacking the finals.
The Dragons have solely received two finals video games since successful the premiership in 2010.
Flanagan is the second NRL coach to be sacked this season with years left on his deal, after Manly ditched Anthony Seibold regardless of being contracted by 2027.
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