CRAIG Bellamy will coach NSW again next year - but there are no guarantees certain members of his mammoth support staff will return. Unsure whether to back up after a mentally draining and unsuccessful debut series, Bellamy finally agreed to continue over the weekend.
But
The Daily Telegraph understands that Bellamy's decision came on the proviso that changes be made to last year's 16-strong support squad to enable him to focus solely on coaching.
Bellamy felt administrative duties distracted him during 2008, which saw the Blues suffer a third consecutive series defeat.
Changes are expected to be made to get the mix right, but high-profile assistant coaches Shane Flanagan and Andrew Johns are expected to be appointed again.
Exactly two weeks after meeting NSWRL boss Geoff Carr in Melbourne, Bellamy rang the veteran CEO on Sunday to confirm his decision to remain.
Currently on holidays with his family in Thailand, Bellamy was unavailable for comment last night.
But his manager John Fordham said the 50-year-old was driven by "unfinished business".
"He is just so competitive - he wants to put right what happened last year," Fordham said.
The return of byes to pre-Origin rounds also played in Bellamy's favour, with his club side Melbourne to enjoy two weekends off when their stars are unavailable.
Melbourne Storm boss Brian Waldron lauded Bellamy's decision.
"It's a great appointment for them (NSW)," he said.
"It's wonderful he's agreed to do it. There's an Origin game in Melbourne next year and that's great for the exposure and promotion of the game down here. Craig will be very keen to give it his best shot."
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