The New Zealand Warriors have dumped coach Steve Kearney after just four matches into the NRL season restart.
The decision followed the Warriors 12-40 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs last Friday, June 22.
The club confirmed that assistant coach Todd Payten will step in as his interim replacement.
Payten told reporters that Warriors players and staff were completely caught off guard by Kearney’s sudden sacking, describing it like a “death in the family”.
In an interview with FoxSports, Sharks legend Paul Gallen slammed the Warriors for what he saw as a “heartless” decision, reflecting the challenges Kearney has faced to relocate his team first to Tamworth and then to the Central Coast during the Covid-19 shutdown, followed by a horrendous run of injuries to key players.
Kearney was only six games into a new three-year deal and had led the side to two wins and two losses since the NRL reboot.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said it was a very difficult decision and a tough day for all involved.
“Stephen has put in a huge amount of effort in the role but, along with the owners, we feel we need to make a change now in the best interests of the club.
George, who informed Kearney of the decision by phone from New Zealand was asked by media about the timing and suddenness of the decision.
“It’s unfortunate I couldn’t sit down with Stephen and discuss the decision with him in person, but under the circumstances that was the only option available to us.”
“None of this pops up overnight … we’re constantly reviewing developments all the time – there’s never a right time for these things.”
“We haven’t put the white flag at all,” he added.
George said Kearney was very professional and took the news on the chin but was obviously shattered by the decision.
Kearney signed with the Warriors as head coach for the 2017 season, guiding the club to the finals in 2018.
George said he would now work with the club’s owners to appoint a new head coach.
Reporter: Ross Barry