Titans stun NRL by axing coach to hire Hasler

Holbrook earned a strong reputation as a coach in the Super League, and was signed by the Titans in 2020, but “as the club works towards the 2030 strategy of bringing success, the decision has been made to move in a new direction”, a statement released by the club on Thursday read.

“We are grateful to Justin for his contribution to the club over the past four seasons,” Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said.

“We are here to bring success to the Gold Coast and in order to do so we feel that this is the change necessary to deliver on our promise which is to win premierships.”

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Gold Coast played one finals game in the three-and-a-half years Holbrook was in charge, and currently sits ninth on the competition ladder with six wins from 13 games.

According to Nine’s Danny Weidler, the Titans told Holbrook he was no longer needed at 9.30am on Thursday following a 10-day negotiation with Hasler.

Hasler, 62, coached Manly to premierships in 2008 and 2011, before leaving and taking charge of Canterbury.

He led the Bulldogs to grand finals in 2012 and 2014 but the team couldn’t win a premiership during his time at the helm.

He returned to the Sea Eagles in 2019 but then left Brookvale in a cloud of controversy after last season, falling out with club management over the infamous rainbow jersey saga that derailed their campaign.

Hasler will reunite with Kieran Foran on the glitter strip. The coach and star half won the 2011 Manly title together, with Hasler also signing Foran to join the Bulldogs and return to the Sea Eagles.

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