EYES FIXED ON TAYLOR AS COACH WAIT GOES ON
THE Titans can’t guarantee they will name a head coach this week, with the calendar running down towards a November 1 deadline for resigning Ash Taylor before other clubs can tempt him.
Under NRL rules, on and after November 1 players coming off contract at the end of the following year are able to talk to other clubs.
Taylor would plainly like to know who will be the 2018 Titans coach when he decides his 2019 allegiance.
It was reported on August 1 that Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said he was interested in bringing Taylor back to Red Hill in 2019.
Titans CEO Graham Annesley yesterday contested a report that his club would announce a coach this week.
The Titans management, including Annesley, is empowered to appoint a coach before the club is sold by the NRL to one of four different consortiums for as much as $10 million.
“We are not ready to make a recommendation (on a head coach) to the board,’’ Annesley said.
“It could be later this week but I can’t guarantee it. There have been plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way to this point, so I’m reluctant to be too specific until a deal has been done.’’
Re-signing Taylor would give the Titans much stability as the club begins another ownership start.
“We are doing everything possible to extend him beyond 2018 as quickly as possible,’’ Annesley said.
“We have tabled an extremely good offer.’’