AS the NRL coaching merry-go-round cranks up following the sacking of Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore, Cronulla are making moves to secure the services of their coach Shane Flanagan beyond 2012.
Chief executive Damien Irvine showed his support for Ricky Stuart's former understudy by extending his one-year contract into 2012 at the beginning of the season. Irvine said Flanagan was hands off to rivals, with the club to negotiate a new contract in coming months - more than 12 months before his present contract expires.
''There's plenty more to do yet but I'm a big believer in that you can't have coaches of your side going into a season with one year left on their contract,'' Irvine told the Sun-Herald.
Advertisement: Story continues below
''Particularly when you are recruiting because you've got players signing one and two-year deals and they need to know there's security. So, we're definitely looking at doing something.
''We got the right guy last time and we're very, very happy. We couldn't be happier and we don't like to leave things in an unstable environment, so we wouldn't want to go into next year with speculation surrounding his future.
''We'll get it done at the end of the season. We'll sit down and try and finalise a deal.''
Irvine came under criticism for extending Flanagan's deal before a ball had even been kicked in anger this year but said the coach's strong recruitment drive and results with an under-strength side this season were proof enough that he had what it takes to remain at the top level.
''We received some criticism over the break for extending Shane's contract into 2012 but it was a really smart move we felt,'' Irvine said.
''Not only do we think he's the right coach for this club, we haven't been included in any of the discussions about the Dragons, Knights, Penrith and now Canterbury.
''We've just started building some momentum and some stability, so he hasn't been a part of any of the rumours when coaching jobs become available.
''I've got all the faith in the world in him. You've got to give people time and he's got them going. We've obviously got goals and we want to see things keep progressing but we're really happy with what he's done considering the amount of injuries and distractions we've had.
''His recruiting has been very strong and dispelled those thoughts from people that we can't attract footballers. The guys he's brought in, like Wade Graham, Colin Best and Jeremy Smith, and with the guys next year, it's looking good.
''If the guy was the right guy for our board and our club - which I 100 per cent agree with for so many reasons - last year, then not much has changed in that period of time. I can assure you that.''
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...up-flanagan-20110716-1hj1c.html#ixzz1SJBrctZz
