Justin Holbrook linked with three Super League clubs as pressure mounts on head coaches

Super League Grand Final winning coach Justin Holbrook has been linked with three top Super League clubs following his departure from NRL outfit Gold Coast Titans.

The 47-year-old Australian coach was sacked from his duties Down Under on Thursday.

Holbrook led St Helens to Grand Final glory in 2019, his final season at the club, winning 70 out of his 87 games in charge of the Super League giants.

He returned to Australia for 2020 as head coach of the Titans.

His move to the open market means there is now more pressure than ever on Super League coaches, with Rohan Smith’s Leeds Rhinos and Ian Watson’s Huddersfield Giants currently outside the play-offs with just 11 wins between them.

Speaking ahead of Hull’s clash with St Helens on Sky Sports, Jenna Brooks revealed that three clubs are potentially interested in the recently sacked Titans boss.

One surprise side includes second place Warrington, who are currently on joint-points with table toppers Catalans in Super League with 22.

Daryl Powell endured a nightmare debut season at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2022, but has since turned things around with a record of 11 wins from 15 so far in 2023.

The side were most recently knocked out of the Challenge Cup by 12-man Wigan in the quarter-finals, but Powell insisted that gave his side more motivation to win the two remaining trophies available.

Brooks also named two more sides ahead of kick-off inside the MKM Stadium.

Justin Holbrook linked with Super League return

“Justin Holbrook woke up to quite the surprise, he has been sacked by the Gold Coast Titans,” reporter Brooks said.

“Naturally, already he is being linked with a return to Super League.

“I spent the majority of the day calling around and speaking to numerous people and there are three clubs that he is being linked with at the moment.

“They are the Leeds Rhinos, the Huddersfield Giants and surprisingly the Warrington Wolves – surprisingly given the start to the season that they have had under Daryl Powell.

“We know that Justin Holbrook loved it over here, so perhaps he will be back sooner rather than later.”

Huddersfield Giants have since rubbished the reports, labelling them ‘incorrect’ and ‘malicious’.

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

Hasler, 62, has coached more than 450 games in the NRL, reaching two Grand Finals and winning two Premierships.

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

HOLBROOK SACKED: Gold Coast Titans part ways with former St Helens boss as successor announced

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