Nathan Brown’s time at Knights ends after agreeing to leave effective immediately
Find out the truth between Nathan Brown’s early exit as Newcastle coach as the farcical Knights situation pivots from bad to worse.
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
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Embattled coach Nathan Brown fast-tracked his contentious decision to quit Newcastle to quell an ugly and increasing split in a poisonous Newcastle playing roster.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Knights were divided into two camps — those who supported Brown and those who didn’t.
Newcastle insiders claim the atmosphere at the club had become toxic.
Brown hated what he was seeing and walked away Tuesday afternoon, freeing himself from an unsupportive senior group of players.
Tongan coach Kristian Woolf will be interim coach for the final fortnight of the season.
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Nathan Brown will leave Newcastle effective immediately. Picture: Darren Pateman
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The Daily Telegraph can reveal Brown left because:
● He was angry that underperforming players were constantly using him as an excuse for on-field failure;
● Senior players refused to take responsibility for poor form;
● A grim mood had engulfed the club;
● Senior players, including Mitchell Pearce and David Klemmer, were not prepared to back Brown, who did have support at management level;
● Players were showing a perceived lack of interest at training.
One source close to the club told The Daily Telegraph: “There were players there that wanted Nathan and other players that didn’t.
“All of them kept blaming Nathan. They cannot keep doing that now he has left. The split over Brown can no longer be used as an excuse.
“Too many players were using Brown to justify their performances. The alleged problem has now gone — so have the players’ excuses.”
Brown was fully aware of the problems and wanted to leave.
While disappointed at the way he finished his tenure at the Knights, friends claim Brown was also “relieved and happy” to leave the flagging club.
Tongan coach Kristian Woolf will step in for the final two games. Picture: Phil Walter
Supporters of Brown claim players used the coach as the “first excuse” when underachieving.
It is unknown whether superstar Kalyn Ponga was supportive or dismissive of Brown.
The entire Brown drama has been messy and harmful to Newcastle.
It has been confirmed Brown fronted senior players after last weekend’s big loss to Wests Tigers to asked whether they wanted him to remain in charge for the final two matches.
Onlookers claim Brown said quite openly in the away dressing room at Campbelltown Stadium: “If you don’t want me here and I am affecting your performance, I’m happy to go.”
No players stepped forward over the following 24 hours to support their coach.
Brown fronted Phil Gardner on Monday morning, the Newcastle chief executive reiterating his desire for the coach to see out the final two games.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Brown said: “The atmosphere here isn’t in the best interests of the club. It would be silly for me to stay.”
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It was mutually agreed he leave immediately.
“What we saw on the weekend was a poor result by anyone’s estimation,” Gardner said.
“Since then we have been discussing what is the best way for the club to go forward and what is the best opportunity for the team and town.
“After those discussions with Nathan, he told me he thought it was in the club’s best interests if he finished up now. Nathan has put the club, players and town first, not himself.”
Roosters and former Melbourne assistant coach Adam O’Brien is expected to be announced as new head coach by the end of this week.
The Knights issued a brief statement yesterday which read: “The Newcastle Knights can confirm coach Nathan Brown has departed the club effective immediately.
“This decision has been made in conjunction with Brown in the best interest of the club.”
