Titans dump Holbrook to sign Hasler in coaching bombshell with Meninga also on way out – The Roar

Gold Coast have made the stunning call to punt Justin Holbrook midway through the season, effective immediately, with former Manly premiership-winning coach Des Hasler to take over.

The Titans issued a statement on Thursday morning to say they had “agreed to part ways” with Holbrook but did not say who would be filling in as caretaker coach for the rest of the season.

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

“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.”

Des Hasler walks onto the field during Anzac Round. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Hasler won two premierships with the Sea Eagles in 2008 and ’11 and also had a tumultuous stint with Canterbury and a second run at Manly before he was sacked at the end of last season.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Titans and to the 2024 season,” Hasler said. 

“The club has a strong playing roster, the region is blessed with emerging talent and the organisation is firmly embedded in the community.

“I’m confident we can deliver success to the region in the coming seasons.”

Titans coach Justin Holbrook. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Immortal centre Mal Meninga, who has held the position of Head of Performance and Culture at the Titans for several years, appeared blindsided by the decision and said he was “a little disappointed” for Holbrook when interviewed on SEN shortly after the announcement.

He indicated he does not “envisage being part of the club moving forward”.

The Titans, who had the bye last weekend, are still very much in finals contention this season, sitting ninth on the ladder with a 6-7 record heading into this Sunday’s derby against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

They beat the Wests Tigers 28-12 in Holbrook’s final game in charge but had suffered three straight defeats to Newcastle, Canterbury and Souths beforehand.

The Titans went 31-51 under Holbrook since he took over from Garth Brennan at the start of 2020 with one first-round exit in his second season the only finals appearance during his tenure.

He was under contract until the end of next season but the club has swung the axe seemingly out of the blue.

Gold Coast’s decision to bring in Hasler comes out of left field. The former representative halfback is known for being a polarising figure who can demand too much influence at clubs from his previous stops at Manly and Canterbury.

Hasler enjoyed great success in his first stint as Manly coach after rebuilding the club in 2004 from the aftermath of the Northern Eagles joint venture disaster with North Sydney.

The Sea Eagles thrashed Melbourne the win the 2008 Grand Final and accounted for the Warriors three years later before Hasler controversially switched to Canterbury for the next season.

During his time at the Dogs he took them to two Grand Finals in 2012 and ’14 but he was sacked three years later after his roster containing heavily back-ended contracts came back to bite them.

Hasler rejoined Manly in 2019 and they made the finals that year and again in 2021 but in the wake of the Pride jersey debacle late last season which led to them falling out of playoff contention, he was replaced by Anthony Seibold.