John Morris could quit Sharks this week with club to announce new coach

Cronulla coach John Morris could walk away from the Shire club as early as this week after the Sharks reportedly confirmed they’ve signed Craig Fitzgibbon to coach from next season.

The Australian journalist Brent Read tweeted on Tuesday, “Cronulla have told John Morris they will accelerate the coaching process. Expect Craig Fitzgibbon to be confirmed as Sharks coach for next year before the weekend, potentially later today.

“Up to Morris whether he remains in charge for rest of season.”

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Nine’s Danny Weidler then reported that the Roosters, where Fitzgibbon is currently employed as assistant coach to Trent Robinson, have told the Sharks they want the deal done soon.

“Roosters have told Sharks they don’t want the Craig Fitzgibbon negotiation to drag on. Pressure growing on Sharks to get the deal done,” he tweeted.

The bombshell news follows an emergency meeting on Monday between Cronulla chief Dino Mezzatesta and Morris’ agent Chris Orr.

Cronulla have told John Morris they will accelerate the coaching process. Expect Craig Fitzgibbon to be confirmed as Sharks coach for next year before the weekend, potentially later today. Up to Morris whether he remains in charge for rest of season

Orr spoke to SEN radio on Tuesday morning about his meeting with the Sharks boss.

He said the club had given him a guarantee Fitzgibbon had not yet agreed to any deal.

“We walked away very positive about the meeting,” Orr said.

“Dino laid out what the club’s position is and the process they will take. I would very much like to see this club support John Morris, I think he’s got Sharks DNA.

NRL: The NRL 360 panel discuss the recent news that the Cronulla Sharks are expected to part ways with John Morris in order to pursue Craig Fitzgibbon….

NRL: The NRL 360 panel discuss the recent news that the Cronulla Sharks are expected to part ways with John Morris in order to pursue Craig Fitzgibbon.

“We’ve requested that John have a chance to present to that committee… give a thorough outline of what his plan is for the club.

“I could understand if they were bringing in Craig Bellamy, and I’ve got no doubt down the track Fitzgibbon and Ciraldo will be fantastic head coaches.

“But this particular club, with his DNA in John Morris, he is the right man for the job.

“They are going to be under pressure. They’ve got achieve finals in their first year. Even better, they’ve probably got to achieve top-four to be better than what John’s done.”

The Daily Telegraph on Monday reported Fitzgibbon will be assisted in the role by current Penrith assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo.

The pair would be brought to the Shire as a double act of sorts, according to the newspaper.

There’s been plenty of criticism of Cronulla’s handling of the entire situation, led by senior News Corp journalist Phil Rothfield and Fox Leauge’s Ben Ikin.

On Monday night, NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent explained why Morris was on the nose at the Sharks, despite taking the team to finals the past two years with a busted roster.

“They’re finding it hard to attract players to the club with John Morris as head coach,” Kent said.

NRL: Shaun Johnson appeared on the Matty Johns show and revealed that he was surprised to hear that John Morris had been fired from the Sharks….

NRL: Shaun Johnson appeared on the Matty Johns show and revealed that he was surprised to hear that John Morris had been fired from the Sharks.

“There is a bit of talk that John Morris flips and flops with his decision making. One week he’s going this way and the next week he’s going that way, and it’s caused a bit of confusion with the players.

“I don’t know if that’s right, but that’s what has been relayed to me as one of the reasons.

“While he has done a good job of managing the club in what was some trying circumstances, there’s a belief there that he’s still not fully formed as a head coach, he would still be a very good assistant, he’s probably a few more years away from polishing up.”

Originally published asMorris could quit Sharks this week

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