Justin Holbrook: Path cleared for Warrington Wolves to give former St Helens coach Super League return
One door has reportedly shut on sacked NRL coach Justin Holbrook, which could lead the way to the vacant Warrington Wolves job.
The Super League outfit departed ways with Daryl Powell on Sunday night by mutual consent following the side’s 42-6 defeat to Wakefield Trinity.
The result at Belle Vue marked the side’s fifth successive Super League loss, their seventh in the last eight.
Head of youth Gary Chambers has taken over on an interim basis, supported by Richard Marshall, until the club finds a permanent replacement.
Super League winning coach Holbrook has immediately been linked with the vacant role, having been sacked by Gold Coast Titans earlier in June following a poor 2023 campaign Down Under.
It had been reported by The Sydney Morning Herald that Newcastle Knights had met with Holbrook, with current head Adam O’Brien made aware of the discussions.
However in fresh reports, NRL journalist Danny Weidler has stated that the Knights are set to stick with current head coach O’Brien, with the Knights having won their last four NRL games to sit just one point outside the top eight on 25 points.
LATEST: @NRLKnights officials say that it’s certain Adam O’Brien will be coach next year. He was told that at a meeting this morning. @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) July 30, 2023
Speaking with Newcastle Herald, Newcastle Knights chief executive Philip Gardner also rubbished reports that the club had approached Holbrook, with O’Brien’s contract running through until the end of 2024.
Justin Holbrook to Warrington Wolves?
It means Holbrook’s search for a return into the game continues, with Warrington in the market for their next permanent boss.
The Australian coach guided St Helens to Grand Final glory in his final year in charge of the club in 2019, as well as the League Leaders’ Shield twice in his three years in charge.
He returned to the NRL with the Titans ahead of the 2020 season, and guided the club to a finals spot on one occasion during his tenure at the club.
Club legend Lee Briers is another name that has been thrown into the mix by supporters, with the former player currently coaching at Brisbane Broncos in Australia.
Briers, 45, worked as an assistant at Warrington until his move to Wigan Warriors ahead of 2022 under Matt Peet. He joined Brisbane for the 2023 campaign.