Justin Holbrook sacked: Gold Coast Titans part ways with former St Helens boss as successor announced

NRL club Gold Coast Titans have parted ways with head coach Justin Holbrook with immediate effect.

The 47-year-old took over the head coaching reins at the Titans ahead of the 2020 season after three impressive seasons in Super League with St Helens.

The Titans are currently ninth in the NRL ladder, having won six from 13 games so far this season.

The club say the decision has been made ‘to move in a new direction’ as they work towards to their 2030 strategy of ‘bringing success’.

Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell said: “We are grateful to Justin for his contribution to the club over the past four seasons.

“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.”

Holbrook’s first head coaching gig came at St Helens, when he took over the duties from Keiron Cunningham midway through the 2017 campaign.

The Australian did a remarkable job turning St Helens’ fortunes around at the time, and went on to win 70 of his 87 games in charge of the Super League giants.

Holbrook led the Saints to the Super League title in his final season at the club in 2019, which was the first of four consecutive Grand Final triumphs, with Kristian Woolf leading the Red V to the following three.

Des Hasler to succeed Justin Holbrook as Gold Coast Titans coach

The Titans have confirmed that veteran coach Des Hasler will take over as the club’s head coach for the 2024 campaign and beyond.

Hasler has coached more than 450 games in the NRL, reaching two Grand Finals and winning two Premierships.

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

“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.”

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