Warriors co-owner Sir Owen Glenn has attacked what he describes as the “diabolical” circumstances surrounding the departure of coach Matthew Elliott from the NRL club.
Club management said on Monday that Elliott had offered his resignation in a meeting with chairman Bill Wavish after the 37-6 defeat to Cronulla last weekend.
But Glenn said Elliott had been forced out in a “knee-jerk” reaction.
“I was sorry to hear of Matt’s ‘resignation’,” Glenn said in a statement.
“I was sorrier still when I learned that he hadn’t, in fact, walked away from the Warriors at all – he didn’t jump, he was pushed.
“But what I am most sorry about is the dishonourable treatment of an honourable man.”
Glenn said Elliott’s exit hadn’t been approved by the full board, himself included.
He said the loss to the Sharks was disappointing and he deplored mediocrity, and tough questions needed to be put to not just the coach, but also the players and the management team.
“However, a decision to axe a coach needs to be scrupulously considered and properly ratified,” he said.
“Instead, what we have here is a seeming knee-jerk decision conveyed to Matt immediately after the game, without ratification by the full board of the Warriors – or by this co-owner.”
Adding insult to injury, Glenn said, there appeared to have been an effort to evade accountability for the decision by dressing it up as a voluntary resignation.
“This was clearly designed to convey the impression that Matt Elliott chose not to stay,” he said.
“The Matt Elliott I know is not a quitter. And in view of the service he has given to the Warriors and the strength of his character, to suggest that he would walk of his own volition is disreputable.”
Glenn, who is in Europe, was unavailable for further comment.
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