Knights coach Adam O’Brien will depart at season’s end, Fox Sports News confirmed on Wednesday, and the split was made official sooner than expected not long after he fronted for a training session in Newcastle.
CODE Sports reported that O’Brien’s termination had been made official after the session, at which he told his players he would be leaving the club.
The decision was ultimately mutual, with O’Brien feeling that he could do no more with the team after four finals appearances in six seasons, but a poor campaign this year that has the Knights second-last with two games remaining.
O’Brien was captured giving a wave to the cameras at Knights HQ before leading his side in a training session ahead of facing Cronulla on Sunday. He will still coach that game and a final-round clash against the Eels before departing.
News broke on Tuesday afternoon that O’Brien’s tenure was set to be ended by the Knights board despite having two years remaining on his contract. The board was initially meant to meet on Thursday morning, but the call was made early.
Assistant coach Blake Green, who was also at training on Wednesday, is considered the frontrunner to take over; though former Titans coach and current Roosters assistant Justin Holbrook has also been thrust into the frame.
“He is here. He seemed to be in pretty good spirits for someone who appears to be on the way out,” Fox Sports News’ Dane Lillingstone said of O’Brien, on the ground in Newcastle today.
“He made even came out and made a little joke with us on the side and said ‘once you’ve got one shot of us, I don’t change, you’ve got enough’ … but he said that with a bit of a wry smile. So it’s not a massive pressure cooker situation.
“We understand that he will see out this season and it’s a bit of a mutual thing. I think he has had enough of his time here, as have (the club). There needs to be change here in Newcastle.”
The SMH reported on Tuesday that O’Brien had informed club powerbrokers he is willing to walk away from the Knights at the season’s end.
O’Brien has two years remaining on his current contract, meaning the Newcastle club will reportedly contractually be obliged to pay him out 18 months of his deal.
However, a reduced 12-month settlement has reportedly been agreed upon.
Josh Hannay was one coaching candidate the Knights were reportedly keen on but has since signed a three-year deal with the Titans to replace Des Hasler.
Meanwhile, current assistant Green is now the frontrunner to be handed the reins of the Hunter club, being backed by figures within the club.
“He (Green) is heavily rumoured to be the next man in line, Justin Holbrook is another name that has been thrown up,” Lillingstone said.
Green is currently the Knights’ attacking coach, but is reportedly held in high regard by both the club’s bosses and players.
Green and O’Brien are both managed by Isaac Moses.
Other options to take over in Newcastle are reportedly Brad Arthur and Willie Peters who are both playing their trade in the Super League.
Arthur recently signed a contract extension until the end of the 2026 season, while Peters is contracted until the end of 2028.
