‘Holbrook’s future is up to him’ – Rush

St Helens CEO Mike Rush has said that the future of coach Justin Holbrook is entirely in his own hands.

The 43-year-old is out of contract at the end of the 2020 season but has recently been rumoured with a move back to the NRL, with bottom two clubs Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans both reportedly interested.

That speculation has increased in recent days, after the Titans sacked head coach Garth Brennan this week, while there is increasing pressure on Bulldogs boss Dean Pay with the club managing just five wins from 17 games this season.

The @GCTitans have parted ways with coach Garth Brennan effective immediately.https://t.co/jB8ZqOSnXL#NRL pic.twitter.com/REqO6Gaokq

— NRL (@NRL) July 14, 2019

Rush, however, insists Holbrook is enjoying his time in Lancashire.

“We don’t need to sell him a dream, he’s living it with us, and that makes it challenging for him,” Rush told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“What he [Holbrook] does next is his decision. He’s got an 80% win rate in Super League so he’s going to attract attention so when a job comes up, he’s naturally going to be linked to it.

“He loves it here, he has a great relationship with his staff. He gets on really well with myself, the chairman and the board so it’s hard to leave something that you’re very fond of and happy with and he’s said that,” Rush added.

“But if, suddenly, a big NRL club comes then I’d be surprised if he didn’t listen but there has to be a timeframe for when all this comes to an end.”