Former Leeds Rhinos coaching target given green light to take on Head Coach role
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 25: Shane Flanagan looks on during the Men's International Test Match between Papua New Guinea and Fiji at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on June 25, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
This week Rohan Smith will celebrate a year in his role as Leeds Rhinos head coach.
However, Leeds could have taken a very different avenue.
Reports a year ago were suggesting that Gary Hetherington was going to bring in both Shane Flanagan and his son Kyle Flanagan to fix Leeds’ problems.
They had been linked with bringing in Shane Flanagan as their coach before yet on both occasions he never arrived at Headingley.
Remarkably, Flanagan hasn’t had a head coaching job since he left Cronulla Sharks where he led them to their first ever Grand Final win back in 2016.
Currently at Manly Sea Eagles, their coach Anthony Seibold – another former coaching candidate for the Rhinos – has said he would be happy for Flanagan to take on a head coach role.
“I would have to have a conversation with Flanno as it’s not something we’ve discussed, but yes I would like any of my coaches to get a head coaching opportunity if that is something they wanted to pursue,” Seibold said via Fox Sports.
This could open up the door for him to coach St George Illawarra Dragons or perhaps one day make the move to Super League.
As for his son Kyle, he has been linked with a move to Super League frequently whether to Leeds Rhinos or Hull FC.
If his father was coaching over here perhaps he would follow.