Phil Gould says St George Illawarra are hamstrung by finances to make a major coaching change as the pressure mounts on Paul McGregor.
Gould was consulted by the club for a comprehensive review last year after the team’s worst finish to an NRL season.
Despite implementing recommended changes, the Saints are yet to win a game in 2020.
The Dragons employed NRL premiership mentor Shane Flanagan as an assistant to McGregor, who is under intense pressure to keep the top job after their worst start to a season in seven years.
According to Gould, the Saints’ finances will limit their options.
Given McGregor signed a two-year extension in 2019, sacking him would be costly.
“There was never a discussion around Paul McGregor’s position at the club at that time, but an understanding that the result had to improve over time and they wanted to do as much as they could possibly to help him achieve that,” Gould said on the Nine Network.
“One thing they could afford was the appointment of Shane Flanagan as an assistant coach, an experienced coach with a very inexperienced coaching group and strength and conditioning group.
“At the end of the day it’s a result-based business and that’s what they have to contend with.
“I’m sure the club is doing everything they can under the finances they currently have to make things work.”
Axing McGregor could cost the club an estimated $1.5 million, plus the added cost of appointing a new head coach.
It’s been reported the NRL could soften its stance on Flanagan, who is banned from being employed as a head coach until the end of 2021.
It would be the most cost-effective option if the Dragons consider terminating McGregor’s contract early.
McGregor’s position is not the only one to come under fire with the performance of the team’s biggest earners, Ben Hunt and Corey Norman, causing huge concern.
Gould said players earning upwards of $700,000 need to be directly responsible for winning between 60 and 70 per cent of NRL games.
“They’re at the stages of their career where they shouldn’t need a lot of coaching, regardless of who the coach is, the way they’re performing is just not good enough,” he said.
Big Daddy
Guest
The St George mentality to use ex players as the coach has really backfired on them. There's talk of Brown, Barrett, Dean Young and Matthew Head will also be mentioned. They need a clean start but don't be surprised if one of the above 4 get the guernsey if Mary goes.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
And yet you're making judgements now
Adam
Roar Guru
They might as well just let the players coach themselves. Can’t go much worse…
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
How would you have handled the JDB situation without the future benefit of hindsight? The club don't have that benefit. Manly were bagged for not standing Brett Stewart down but he had enough problems without the club sticking the boot in as so many demanded.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The club has shown massive faith in Mary and rewarded him incredibly well. He stated a while back that he the team he wanted and despite losing JDB he should have done much better. The noble thing to do would be to resign.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Actually, yes. There was a distinct believe and hope that Flanno would have a positive impact. That he hasn't isn't a good sign.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Ba ha ha ha :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Problems compounded when WIN bought in. It was supposed to bring heaps of funds to the group and some business acumen. Hasn't done much positive for the club it seems.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I’ll refrain from replying Adam until later in the year.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Ex-player so , no thanks..
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I think Nathan Brown and Paul McGregor have shown how well former players go as coaches at the Dragons. Needs to be an outside coach with no previous ties to the club. I like Geoff Toovey
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
How have they not handled the JDB issue well? Should they have sacked an innocent player?
Stormy
Roar Rookie
We went through all this well before the original season start. Nothing has changed. Did anyone, truthfully, expect a different outcome?
Succhi
Roar Rookie
It really baffles me that the Dragons have over paid their coach, their half, signed Norman when nobody else would, are losing their best player Frizell, have not handled the JDB issue well, seem to be letting a lot of juniors go and look out of shape. Oh, Gus did a review........
Big Daddy
Guest
St George board have really dug a hole for themselves. Resigning a non performing coach and then signing a guy that can't coach for another 12-18 months. It makes you wonder. Someone has to go , coach, board, maybe both.
Doug Graves
Guest
Time for Trent Barrett to step in and save the Dragons perhaps? He's desperate for a head coaching gig and could probably be picked up relatively cheaply.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
1. Walker Bros: they’ll bring a zest, fun, left field thinking, attack, attitude and they wouldn’t be expensive. Also good for some of the young blokes. 2. Hook: tough, experienced, has a point to prove (IMO) and might not ask for too much first up. 3. Tooves.. he brings an attitude they need, some experience and might not cost too much. The Other #1 = Wayne. Experience, the nature of the club will change, positive association with the past AND he’ll attract some quality players, but he’ll just cost too much. Just NO EX_PLAYERS…
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good points. Exactly he should have been offered $400/$500K, not like anyone else was offering near that.. I hear he is paid more than Robo and Hasler?? Sounds bizarre… Not sure about Flanno yet, I would have thought he’d have a better impact.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Who would Dragons fans like to see at the helm? One player who is greatly missed is Gareth Widdup. Complemented Hunt & took a lot of pressure off him.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
The financial flip side is - they'll lose more by keeping him - so it's poor financial sense to not make the decision. The Dragons at the moment are looking at Titan fever = i.e. they will now need to always pay overs to attract or keep quality players = financial damage, they will lose membership = financial damage, loss of merchandising (who'd buy their jersey now??) = financial damage, loss of reliable quality sponsorship = financial damage, a quality coach will cost heaps more = financial damage, no chance of finals $$ = financial damage. Won't take long for a million $ payout to be returned if they turn the corner soon, but the longer this goes the more it costs them in the end. Also, if the reports are correct, Mary refused to reduce his salary during Covid-19 when many other coaches did to help out the support staff. Why? (IMO) Mary knows he's gone and won't get a job for a while so he no longer cares much and it's all about the $$