The New Zealand Warriors have confirmed the departure of coach Nathan Brown, with Stacey Jones taking the job on a caretaker basis.
The Warriors are priced at 16/1 to make the top eight and play finals but sit 14th on the ladder after managing to win just four of their 13 games so far this season.
Final straw
The Warriors had won just one out of the last eight games but the final straw was the 44-12 defeat against a weakened Manly Sea Eagles side on Saturday.
Speaking after the game Brown defended his position and said he had not run out of ideas. Warriors CEO Cameron George believes differently and Brown was relieved of his duties, just 18 months after landing the job.
Related NRL news
Stuart wants more from Raiders
Brown focused as Warriors lose to Manly
Club legend Jones will take the job for now while the hunt for a long-term successor to Brown begins. And George does not think they will have a problem attracting a top quality coach.
The news broke on the same day that Michael Maguire was axed by the Wests Tigers. He is already being linked with the job. Canterbury Bulldogs also need a new coach so all of a sudden three top jobs in the NRL need filling.
Playing it cool
However George says there is no rush or panic.
"We're in no hurry," he said. "Stacey is in the role for the rest of the season. We'd like to have an indication (on the head coach) by August to allow us to plan for the pre-season.
"By the number of phone calls and messages I've got today, selling the club to potential coaches is not going to be too hard.”
