https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...p/news-story/cd426a0146346806b8e40c89b6ee5298
Cronulla has hatched a secret plan to partner rising coaches Craig Fitzgibbon and Cameron Ciraldo together at a revamped Sharks from next season.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Fitzgibbon would be head coach with Ciraldo his assistant.
It is understood Cronulla hope the Fitzgibbon and Ciraldo coalition would have the drawing ability to attract key players.
Ciraldo, the Panthers assistant and defensive coach, has been formally approached by Sharks management to coach alongside Fitzgibbon, the current Sydney Roosters assistant.
The Fitzgibbon-Ciraldo alliance only started gathering serious momentum at Cronulla over the past 36 hours.
Current Sharks coach John Morris looks certain to be dumped after this season, despite having guided his club to the finals for the past two seasons.
Morris met his manager Chris Orr in Kareela on Monday to discuss his future.
John Morris with his agent Chris Orr in Kareela.
Ciraldo, 36, formally told Penrith officials of the Sharks approach on Monday afternoon. This was confirmed to
The Daily Telegraph by Panthers management.
Fitzgibbon has told friends he wants to coach alongside Ciraldo.
Ciraldo still has another year to run on his current Penrith contract with close friends confirming he is torn about whether to stay or leave.
Fitzgibbon and Ciraldo have been firm friends since working together with Country sides several years ago. The pair have long held a private ambition to coach together.
While he has a passion to coach with Fitzgibbon, it is known Ciraldo would genuinely struggle to leave the Panthers.
Cameron Ciraldo has been linked with a role at Cronulla. Picture: Getty Images
Negotiations between Ciraldo and Cronulla remain in their infancy. Ciraldo has no desire just yet to become an NRL head coach. He will move back to The Shire at the end of this year for family reasons.
With premierships looming at Penrith, Ciraldo may reject Cronulla and remain at the Panthers.
Ciraldo nurtured and helped develop numerous members of the current Penrith side through the club’s junior program. He is now seeing the rewards of his time and efforts.
One source close to Penrith said: “It would be hard for Cameron to walk away but he also knows he can’t stay at Penrith forever. I don’t think he has ruled out any move to Cronulla or ruled it in.”
With sustained future success almost assured at the club, Panthers officials remain confident Ciraldo will stay.
Fitzgibbon, 43, and Ciraldo could bring a little of the Roosters and a little of the Panthers — two clubs that have reached grand finals in the past two years.
Craig Fitzgibbon has done a great job at the Roosters. Picture: Jonathan Ng
While he has progressed his coaching career immensely at Penrith, there is a theory Ciraldo may now be open to challenges elsewhere.
Ciraldo, who previously coached the Italian rugby league side, has achieved remarkable success this season as Penrith defensive coach.
In the club’s five games through 2021, the Panthers have leaked just 26 points for a game average of five points, equivalent to just one try a week.
Penrith has a 34 point better defensive record than the NRL’s second best defensive side, South Sydney. Grand finalists Penrith were also the best defensive side last year.
