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St George Illawarra’s search for a coach might finally be coming to a conclusion, with Roosters assistant Jason Ryles set to ink a four-year deal with the Dragons.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Ryles will begin work at the club in the coming weeks, though he will not coach the team until the start of the 2024 season.
Ryan Carr, the current interim, will continue first grade duties as planned with Ryles taking a backseat role as he oversees a change in systems and culture at the Red V.
The four-year contract is 12 months shorter than what Ryles had initially requested, with his preference for an arrangement similar to that which brought Cameron Ciraldo from the Panthers to the Bulldogs late last year.
Even so, it is a show of support from the Dragons to a rookie who has never held a head coaching role on his own and has only ever been an assistant.
The Herald has also reported that Ryles did not participate in the Roosters’ bye week training camp on the Central Coast – where they will face the Bulldogs this Sunday – in order for the Chooks to integrate his replacements, former players Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner.
Ryles remained in Sydney and will now begin bargaining with the Dragons over his backroom staff.
“I’m not too sure what’s going on there but he’s probably ready to take that next stop and be a head coach in the NRL,” said Roosters five eighth Luke Keary.
“He’s such a good person, he’s very astute, very detailed in what he does. He reminds me a lot of Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon) as they’ve both got a bit of an aura and presence around them, both big men.
“He’s ready for the opportunity.
“We’ve had a lot of really good assistants here and that’s the path they’re on and their dream is to coach a first grade team themselves.
“As players it doesn’t really affect us, we understand what they’re trying to do , we know when they’re all in but they’re trying to chase their coaching dream outside.”
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