Kyle Flanagan has been recalled by the Bulldogs. Not sure why a player who was dropped by last year's wooden spooners would be the sort of player we'd want to target anyway. Not to mention someone would have to leave to allow him to join. If we're going that route a prop would be first choice anyway (unless Austin/Sezer left).

I agree, but at the same time, the NRL is such a gulf apart that one of their fringe players can become one of SL's best! Look at Jai Field. He could barely get an NRL contract before signing for Wigan, now looks odds on for MoS!

Young and hungry could be a better option than tail enders who've not much left to give... I'm not saying the club should go for it, but I don't think it's that bad an option.

Flanagan is carving it up in the NSW Cup (NRL reserve grade) so he should be more than capable of playing well in SL. He needs to be shown a bit of love.

He'd do well to get out of Canterbury who are in a mess.

If we do end up with Flanagan as coach it might be that his son is for next year as Austin is off contract as is Thompson so room for a big prop as well.
Agreed about gulf in difference in SL and NRL so a good squad or reserve grade will be much better than anything over here. Also you just seem to shake the tree for halfbacks to appear in the ARL here they are rare.

Quote ="Steves"If it helps you we are supposed to be interested in Shane Flanagan and his half back son Kyle according to reports this morning.'" Quote ="Exeter Rhino"YEP suggesting Shane Flanagan and son Kyle are potentially Leeds bound - recycling a story from the Aussie media.'" With regards to the rumours of Kyle Flanagan coming over to SL and presumably to the Rhinos then have a watch from 6-40 onwards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXpGdK6ruNQ It would certainly need the Bulldogs to heavily subsidise Flanagan's contract should he come over to SL IMO

Quote ="Steves"If it helps you we are supposed to be interested in Shane Flanagan and his half back son Kyle according to reports this morning.'" Quote ="Exeter Rhino"YEP suggesting Shane Flanagan and son Kyle are potentially Leeds bound - recycling a story from the Aussie media.'" With regards to the rumours of Kyle Flanagan coming over to SL and presumably to the Rhinos then have a watch from 6-40 onwards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXpGdK6ruNQ It would certainly need the Bulldogs to heavily subsidise Flanagan's contract should he come over to SL IMO

Not a lot of interest in the job from the NRL according to John Davidson on twitter.

How depressing!

It really will be a disaster if GH comes back empty-handed from a trip to Aus. Really difficult to spin that into something other than Leeds being seen as a complete basket-case.

Re Flanagan and the NRL. Saying he must be good as he's NRL is daft - Austin and Sezer both have far more NRL experience, and we've all seen NRL nobodies disappear without trace in SL. The standard in Australia is higher, but not to the point where you can and should expect much from a reserve halfback.

Agar was offered a "substantial' pay rise to be an assistant at Cronulla under Fitzgibbon. If assistants earn more money in NRL than Leeds would pay it wont be easy to attract anyone.

Wigan/Wire/Cas all had coaching vacancies this year and all went English.

John Davidson isnt particularly accurate most of the time tho so we will see.

Click bait by Davidson imo. Lazy reporting

The difference in pay is a big factor. Flanagan and son would have to take pay cuts to come to Leeds. Flanagan junior needs to get out of Canterbury as things stand but if Trent Barratt gets fired (as I think will happen eventually) then he may well stay put as he's on big money - far more than Leeds could pay.

I can see GH coming back empty handed.

Let's not forget that the Super League 'super stars' Jai Field and Bevan French are Parramatta rejects who were languishing in their NSW Cup side.

Let's not kid ourselves that all sides in SL wouldn't struggle against NSW Cup sides.

Flanagan would be a good pickup - esp as Austin and Sezer will no doubt end up at the Dolphins.

TBF the Bulldogs are a total basket case of a club and they are "my" team in Aus.

He normally does when he comes back from his "holiday" in Australia.

I'd have thought he would have a few bags full of duty free xD

Of course.
And some nice perfume for Kath

Does he??

'Having undertaken extensive research and interviews across the globe to find the right man to lead us forward, yesterday I had a very productive meeting at Birch services and we'd like to announce John Kear as our new head coach.'

I've never understood the idea of under spending on a coach. In a world where your playing budget is limited, why wouldn't you get the best coach you could afford

Leeds can't afford to not get a decent coach.

That's particularly the case now. Feels like we're at a turning point for the club - keep plodding along and watch as crowds and interest evaporates, or push hard to get back to the top.

I can't imagine GH coming back from Oz without a new coach, even if its a complete numpty. The embarrassment of not getting one after making a big deal of a trip during the season would be enormous both for the club and GH personally.

Powerful Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington is in Australia searching for a new head coach.

Hetherington arrived in Sydney earlier this week and is considering a host of possible head coaches for his famous Yorkshire club.

News Corp understands Hetherington has been exploring former Sharks coach John Morris, ex-Dragons coach Paul McGregor, Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo, Roosters assistant Jason Ryles and former Sharks premiership-winning coach, Shane Flanagan.

Ryan Carr, Parramatta’s assistant coach, is also a strong contender.

Leeds coach Richard Agar stepped down in March with ex-English and Great Britain back-rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan the interim coach.

With the usually successful Leeds struggling enormously in Super League this year, Hetherington is aware he must find a coach with a proven record.

Reports in the English media claim Hetherington is on a “fact-finding” trip to Australia.

Ciraldo appears frontrunner for an NRL head coaching job so would be unlikely to walk away for England. The same could be said for Ryles.

Carr has considerable support while McGregor and Morris could emerge as robust choices. Flanagan has been previously linked to Leeds.

Eels management is aware of Leeds’ interest in Carr. Morris is currently working at South Sydney while Flanagan is employed at the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Like Carr, McGregor is also working as an assistant under head coach Brad Arthur at Parramatta.

Leeds has won just one of seven games this season and sit in 11th place on the Super League competition table alongside new club, Toulouse.

Hetherington has several close contacts at Manly and will visit Sydney’s northern beaches on Monday, including a tour of the Sea Eagles’ new $33m Centre of Excellence at Brookvale Oval.

“Leeds are virtually the most successful English club over the past 20 years but they’re going through a rough trot at the moment,” said former Manly official and close mate, Peter Peters.

“Gary is here looking at coaching possibilities. He is by far the most respected chief executive in Super League.

“He has a wonderful record with the Leeds Rhinos and is a great friend of the Manly club.

“Gary always visits Manly when in Australia and I understand he will look over the new Centre of Excellence on Monday.”

Agree with the comments on cost. GH will have to spend to attract anyone from Oz. If he is going all out for Flanagan, I think the sticking point will be duration. If GH is searching for the new Tony Smith, he'll want someone coming in for around 4 years you would have thought. I imagine Flanagan might want to do the next 18 months before getting an NRL gig.

Same issue with Carr. We all saw how quickly Holbrook went back to the NRL once he got a big opportunity. One thing I don't think GH will want is a stop-gap.

Lovely words. Fingers crossed for good news

The most important signing you can make. It's where the most money should be spent pound for pound.

exiledrhino wrote:
Agree with the comments on cost. GH will have to spend to attract anyone from Oz. If he is going all out for Flanagan, I think the sticking point will be duration. If GH is searching for the new Tony Smith, he'll want someone coming in for around 4 years you would have thought. I imagine Flanagan might want to do the next 18 months before getting an NRL gig.

Same issue with Carr. We all saw how quickly Holbrook went back to the NRL once he got a big opportunity. One thing I don't think GH will want is a stop-gap.
……………………………………..

A ARL coach whether an assistant or unemployed head coach will always be a gamble. If he was to turn us round quickly then the likelihood is that an offer from Oz will be made that will be hard to refuse.
Will be interesting and all should be revealed soon but there seems to be good names on the list in the press today. I suppose if we get someone who turns us round quickly then it’s a gamble worth taking.

Can't see any appointment being here this side of Easter whoever it is.....