On Monday morning, the St George Illawarra Dragons announced they would be parting ways with head coach Shane Flanagan, alongside General Manager of Football Ben Haran.
The past nine months at the Red V have been bleak both on and off the field, marked by 11 consecutive losses and growing unrest among parts of the club's young playing group.
With pressure mounting in the Illawarra, attention now turns to who will be entrusted with steering the Dragons out of their current slump.
Here are NINE contenders for the club's next head coaching role in the NRL.
1. Brad Arthur
If the Dragons opt for proven experience, Brad Arthur looms as one of the strongest contenders on the market.
Currently coaching the Leeds Rhinos, Arthur previously led the Parramatta Eels for over a decade, guiding the club through a full rebuild that culminated in a Grand Final appearance in 2022.
Beyond results, he was credited with restoring professionalism and accountability at Parramatta, helping transform them from perennial underachievers into consistent finals contenders.
Despite being dismissed midway through the 2024 season, Arthur's reputation as a long-term builder remains intact.
His impact has already been felt in England, where he steered Leeds into finals contention in less than a full season — reinforcing his ability to quickly implement structure and standards.
For a Dragons side lacking consistency and direction, Arthur offers a hardened, no-nonsense approach built on discipline and defensive resilience. However, with multiple clubs monitoring his availability, securing his signature would likely require swift and decisive action.
