‘Thought they had him before Christmas’: Bellamy linked to Sharks in three-way battle for super coach
The Sharks believed they had secured the services of super coach Craig Bellamy before Christmas once his deal with the Storm expires at the end of 2021.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield confirmed that the Sharks are locked in a three-way battle with the Storm and the Broncos over the services of Bellamy in a coaching director role.
“He said he has been talking to another NRL club since July last year and they are very serious talks,” Rothfield said of Bellamy on The Big Sports Breakfast.
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NRL: Cronulla have emerged as a contender for the services of Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, with the Sharks hoping to make him the coaching director….
NRL: Cronulla have emerged as a contender for the services of Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, with the Sharks hoping to make him the coaching director.
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“It is an option that I am treating as seriously as the Broncos and Storm.
“The Sharks want him there and are prepared to pay big money. This will be a coaching director role and not just is he a great coach, but the corperate support he would bring and being such a magnet for great players and the good players he turns into great players.
“They were very confident on the quiet before Christmas that they had him.”
Rothfield reported the multimillion-dollar tug of war for Bellamy has been held up due to a family illness.
“Craig is dealing with a family health issue behind the scenes that has taken up a lot of his time apart from getting the Storm ready to play in the competition,” Rothfield said.
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“A decision is probably two or three weeks away. I still think he would like to make it before the start of the season so it doesn’t become a distraction for the Storm outfit.”
“I haven’t even thought about it yet because of the situation we are in,” Bellamy told the Weekend Australian.
“Until I can sit down with [Wendy] and talk about [my future] there will be no decision.
“I suppose people will want an answer, but it’s not a priority at the moment. It’s way down the list to be honest.”
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However Bellamy wouldn’t rule out going to any of the three options on the table.
“The clubs have been good and understanding,” Bellamy told The Daily Telegraph.
“They’ve all been real good and that’s why I haven’t yet ruled out anything.”
The latest development places further doubt around the coaching future of John Morris, after Shane Flanagan was linked to a return to the club in the head coach role.
The Sharks are reportedly discussing the prospect of extending Morris for another season to work under Bellamy in 2022.
“We can confirm meetings have been ongoing between the Sharks, Craig Bellamy and his advisors, in relation to a potential coaching director role at our club from 2022 onwards,” Cronulla chief executive Dino Mezzatesta said on Saturday night.
Originally published as‘Thought they had him before Xmas’: Bellamy linked to Sharks in three-way battle for super coach
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