Paul McGregor facing the axe as St. George Illawarra Dragons coach following horror season
48 mins ago
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The pressure gauge could be set to claim another coaching casualty, with Dragons coach Paul McGregor on thin ice to remain at the helm of the famous club beyond this season.
The Dragons have had one of the worst campaigns in the club's rich history, despite sitting as pre-season fancies at the start of the year, and will finish the season in 15th spot having won only seven games.
The Dragons board have been outspoken about a review that will be conducted on the club's football department post-season, however it was announced McGregor's position would not be questioned.
However,
The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield is reporting that the review is becoming increasingly likely to end McGregor's six-years as head coach of the club.
Appearing on Fox League's
Controversy Corner, Rothfield said the calamitous end to this season is likely to be enough for the club's board of directors to decide to part ways with McGregor.
"Paul McGregor has been under pressure for some time, there's been a massive fan backlash," Rothfield said on Monday.
"To this day St George have held back on the pressure, but I had a call today saying there will be a review at the end of the season. It will involve Mary now, whereas (before) it was more around his staff.
"The fact that they will now finish 15th, the fact that they are now allowing teams like the Wests Tigers to put 40 plus points on them, is unacceptable.
"I spoke to Brian Johnson an hour ago and I said I've had mail that Mary McGregor will go after this review. He wouldn't confirm that he was staying, or giving him his 100 percent backing, he said it's all going to come down to the review."
A former club legend who played 124 games for the Illawarra Steelers before becoming the foundational captain of the St. George Illawarra merger, McGregor hasn't quite earned the love from the Dragons fans in his six years as coach.
The Dragons have made only two finals series in that time, a far cry away from the long streaks of success the Red V was once renowned for.
There has been an outcry of anger towards the club from passionate Dragons fans at home games this season about the way the team has traveled.
Rothfield told Fox League's NRL360 he felt these will prove to be the hammer that nailed the final nail in McGregor's coffin.
“A lot of people tipped St George to make the top four and some tipped them to win the premiership,” Rothfield said.
“I think they have had a massive fan backlash on social media and the stories about the Mary McGregor banners.
“I think they are reacting to a bit of fan pressure, but that performance yesterday against the Tigers just added to it.
The two names that have been thrown in the hat to take over from McGregor should he be axed are Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon and former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan, who still remains deregistered by the NRL.
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