Paul McGregor has kept his job for the time being after the Dragons held an emergency board meeting.
Following Monday’s 22-2 loss to the Bulldogs, St George brought forward next week’s scheduled board meeting to Tuesday morning, where it was decided to retain McGregor as head coach for the time being.
The financial cost of sacking McGregor will no doubt have played a significant role in the board’s decision. The coach is said to be on a salary of around $750,000 per year, having signed a two-season extension in April 2019. Reports indicate terminating his contract would require a payout in the region of $1 million.
“Although the board acknowledges the club’s performances so far throughout 2020 have been unacceptable; we will continue to support Paul, his staff and the team through these tough times,” chairman Andrew Gordon said.
“We are committed to Paul as coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons and look forward to seeing him right the wrongs of the opening month of the current campaign.
“We are a club that stands by our people when under pressure. This is a time for loyalty, strength and commitment from the players, coach, board and staff to improve.”
However, Mary is still under all sorts of pressure, and plenty of St George fans will be none too happy about the board’s decision today given the side’s lacklustre recent performances.
Rooted to the foot of the table as the only side without a victory in 2020, the Dragons have gone tryless in the fortnight weeks since the NRL restarted, a stat only compounded by the fact those matches came against two of the competition’s weaker sides in the Warriors and Bulldogs.
In the Dragons’ 14 games since the start of July last year, only two have ended in victories – both against eventual wooden spooners the Gold Coast Titans.
After the loss to the Bulldogs, McGregor himself said he would understand if the club made the decision to sack him, although insisted he would not quit the job.
“I’ll be disappointed obviously but I understand the situation and there’s conversations around it every day which doesn’t help the team,” McGregor said.
“If that decision is made, I’ll wear it. I’ve certainly got the backing of the players and the staff.
“I’m not scared [of being sacked] if that’s the word you’re looking for. I’m an optimist, but I’m a realist and I know that our team aren’t playing well enough at the moment and I’m the coach of that. I’ve got confidence in my team. At the moment they’ve lost a bit in themselves I think so I accept the blame.”
Having been appointed midway through 2014, McGregor currently has a record of 65 wins and 75 losses.
matth
Roar Guru
I believe it’s called The WhoCares Cup
Nick
Roar Guru
That's early by any msasure. Again, ask yourself how many other clubs have re-signed a coach at round 6? Indeed, how many signed after a 4 game winning streak (That's hardly a big deal)? And then when you find out that answer, ask how many clubs were stupid enough to do it twice!! It's indefensible JGK, particularly knowing his track record of second half face outs in 2015-2018.
JGK
Roar Guru
It wasn’t “so early”. It was a quarter of the way through the last year of his old contract.
JGK
Roar Guru
No they don’t. Maybe there are bonuses for good performances but not the other way.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
What's with clubs contracting coaches and having to pay them out the full contract value even if terminated for poor performance? Don't they put performance hurdles in them that allow termination by the club for minimal payout if not achieved?
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Careful what you say about park footy clubs, Adam.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yep, you’ve described professional rugby league perfectly, SM. Hasler did the same at the Doggies and they’re still getting over it. The Dragons are heading down the same path. No, I've described life, not professional rugby league. When he's 85 he's not going to be able to ask someone for a random $1m be thrown his way. People may pontificate, but in McGregor's or Hasler's or Barrett's position, we all would do the same. 7 days a week. You did not suggest he should walk away, but you appeared to agree with 40/20's absolutely ludicrous, naive and out of touch suggestion that he should resign.
JGK
Roar Guru
Not sure I agree about having to do anything publicly.
Paul
Roar Guru
Yep, you've described professional rugby league perfectly, SM. Hasler did the same at the Doggies and they're still getting over it. The Dragons are heading down the same path. By the way,I don't recall suggesting he should walk away. My comment was he should never have been given that contract extension and now that he has, he should be sacked, but of course that hasn't happened.
Paul
Roar Guru
If he had any real self-awareness, he at least acknowledge at some point publicly that maybe he's to blame,at least in part. Nothing doing from Mary. It's all the players fault
Nick
Roar Guru
An example reflective of your daily telegraph level education, FT. Barrett's resignation is not anything like what you are proposing. Barrett tended his 12 month notice (again, an utterly, utterly absurd clause for a coaching contract) and then was militant in ensuring he would be paid in full while servicing his notice, or be let loose and paid out pro rata - as was his right. You suggesting McGregor should just resign and forfeit money? Are you kidding!?
Nick
Roar Guru
I'd have less respect for them if they broke it and then started haggling over the payout. No dramas if they break it and pay him in full.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Call me old fashioned, but I would have less respect for the board if they broke the contract.
Simoc
Guest
Such complete nonsense Spruce. The Broncos gave Siebold a five year contract after him having coached one year in the NRL. So just how smart are the Brisbane Broncos board. He comes in with great players on board as well. You asked "why has no other club engaged in such folly". You are the one out of touch.
Simoc
Guest
Well Adam, If you would donate $1m of your hard earned to St George / Illawarra I'm sure the coach will be gone. The club may even give you a discount. Then the next guy comes in and the results don't come, on we go. Since the club have invested so much in the coach they need to help him turn it around. In many clubs it is the board that is the problem. As the coach said, confidence is low; they probably read to much media about themselves. A win or two changes everything and then their current state of mind becomes someone else's. That's the beauty of the success if this team can mould and start winning again. Traditionally St George are a great club so I expect them to bounce back and win soon.
Big Daddy
Guest
No one dropped on form and the board leave him there. They deserve every defeat after take my no action after that start. No sympathy at all.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Are you saying coaches never resign ? Garbage , ever heard of Trent Barrett?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I think it all comes back to th third paragraph of the story. I do feel he will get sacked but not until the payout is much less.
Nick
Roar Guru
It means that they are counting the beans and hoping that Mary might take a $500k pay out.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Well, this news just stuffed up my afternoon.... rot sets in from the top. This cancerous snake needs to have the head chopped off. Joke of a decision.