Gold Coast have introduced Des Hasler will step down as head coach on the finish of the NRL season after an ill-fated two years on the struggling membership.

The Each day Telegraph is reporting that Maroons assistant Josh Hannay is ready to take over the position subsequent season in a bombshell transfer.

It will likely be his first full-time position after earlier interim tenures on the Sharks and Cowboys the place he has had 11 wins from 30 matches. He’s at present serving as assistant coach at Cronulla, who’re making ready to play a fourth successive finals sequence in just a few weeks.

Hasler’s time on the Gold Coast membership has been removed from spectacular. Titans sensationally fired Justin Holbrook halfway via the 2023 season to clear the way in which for two-time premiership-winning mentor Hasler to take over.

However the Titans have received solely 13 of his 46 video games in cost and are the favourites to complete final on the ladder with a fortnight to play within the common season.

It’s understood that the coach had a contract clause that powerbrokers might sack him instantly as soon as mathematically eradicated from finals competition in 2025.

The 64-year-old Hasler departs with a yr to run on his contract and isn’t any certainty to educate within the NRL once more.

He is without doubt one of the NRL’s teaching icons, reaching his five hundredth match as coach this yr in opposition to the Warriors, with simply Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens, Brian Smith, Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart having extra video games underneath their belt.

“Whereas the outcomes this season will not be what had been hoped, throughout his time on the Titans, Hasler has demonstrated the professionalism and dedication that has made him one of many sport’s most revered coaches,” the Titans assertion learn.

“His dedication to growing the enjoying group and his meticulous strategy to preparation have been exemplary, regardless of the difficult circumstances and ladder place.”

He’ll coach the final two video games of the season, with the Titans but to formally announce his successor.

Hasler has come underneath hearth in current weeks for his roster administration, with experiences that two of the membership’s star,s Tino Fa’asuamlaei and David Fifita, are exploring their choices to probably hit the open market. There are already y experiences that Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett is all for recruiting the latter.

It led to a tense change with a reporter following Gold Coast’s loss to the New Zealand Warriors, maybe displaying the pressure of the job on the membership.

“Des, are you able to clarify to us the state of affairs with David Fifita and his future?” The reporter requested Hasler.

“Nicely, David in the intervening time is making his approach again, as , from ankle surgical procedure,” Hasler replied.

“So he’ll come again from that and he’ll go into rehab.

“He’s signed for subsequent yr. So he’s signed for ‘26.”

“Have you ever given him permission to hunt curiosity from different golf equipment?” The reporter requested Hasler once more.

“He’s signed for ‘26,” Hasler responded.

“You’re not answering the query, Des,” the reporter mentioned.

“I’m not going to reply it,” Hasler replied.

“It’s an necessary challenge on the membership,” the reporter mentioned.

“No, it’s not,” Hasler responded.

“You may’t hold avoiding every little thing,” he mentioned to Hasler.

Including to Monday’s assertion confirming his departure, Titans chairman Dennis Watt personally famous Hasler has demonstrated professionalism and dedication, thanking him for his service to the membership.

“His deep information, ardour and unwavering dedication to excellence have been evident day-after-day he has labored with our membership,” Watt mentioned.

“Whereas this season hasn’t gone as deliberate, Des has performed himself with the dignity and sophistication that has outlined his complete profession.” 

The workforce sits final of the 17 groups heading into matches in opposition to the Dolphins and Tigers, needing a minimum of one win to keep away from the wood spoon, relying on Newcastle’s outcomes.

The membership says it can present information on the teaching construction for subsequent season, “sooner or later”.

– with AAP