Sharks name interim coach
Cronulla have begun to look at life without Shane Flanagan after installing John Morris as the lone interim coach of the NRL side.
Morris and fellow assistant Jim Dymock were appointed caretakers when Flanagan was sensationally de-registered by the NRL for dealing with the club while suspended in 2014.
It remains unclear whether Flanagan will appeal the ban, however the Sharks opted to give Morris the nod before the preseason recommences on Monday.
Sharks chief executive Barry Russell and the club board began discussions on handing the reins to Morris prior to Christmas, before informing senior players yesterday.
‘‘Ultimately you need to have one voice and one person in charge as a head coach,’’ Russell said.
‘‘I rang all those guys yesterday to let them know. I think everyone was in agreeance, we needed one boss.’’
Late last month, Dymock hit out at suggestions he was satisfied as being a career assistant and openly declared his ambition to become a head coach.
However, the Sharks instead went with Morris, who has been a part of the club’s set-up since playing the final five years of his career in the Shire.
Dymock will remain as an assistant.
After completing his coaching education, Morris became the club’s elite development coach in
2015 and fast-tracked into their
under-20s mentor role the following season.
It was there when, armed with promising talents Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien and Kyle Flanagan, that Morris claimed coach of the year honours with the minor premiership.
He became Flanagan’s assistant last year.
Flanagan has until the end of January to appeal his ban.