Shane Flanagan has been announced as the new head coach of St George Illawarra with the premiership-winning coach to take over at the Dragons from the start of the 2024 NRL season.
The Dragons announced on Wednesday that Flanagan had signed a three-year deal to take over as coach of the club from the start of next season.
“There is a fantastic opportunity at the Dragons to build something really special over the next few years,” Flanagan said.
“While the Sea Eagles will continue to have my full focus for the rest of this season, I also can’t wait to get started back at the Dragons at the end of this season and work on returning the club to the finals where it belongs.”
After featuring as an assistant coach at various club and representative levels, Flanagan eventually took over as head coach of the Sharks in 2010 – leading Cronulla in 80 games across four years – before returning as coach in 2015.
Hunt confirms Shane Flanagan has called
In 2016, he guided the Sharks to a top-four finish and their first premiership in history with a 14-12 win over the Storm, coaching at the club until the end of 2018.
Flanagan's coaching involvement with the Dragons began in 2020, working first as an assistant coach to before joining as a list management consultant in 2022. He previously played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and first-grade for the Dragons across the late 1980's, making three top flight appearances in 1987.
His most recent involvement has seen him feature as an assistant coach to Anthony Seibold at Manly, where he will depart at season's end to return to the Red V.
Dragons v Rabbitohs - Round 15, 2023
“We have full faith in Shane’s abilities as a coach and are looking forward to welcoming him back to the club,” said Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster.
“Shane is well-regarded within the club from his recent roles here, first as an assistant coach then as list management consultant. The time he previously spent with the club also gives him a high level of familiarity with our players, systems and pathways.”
Current interim coach Ryan Carr, who has won two of four games since taking charge in Round 12, will remain in his role for the rest of this year.
