Stuart loses job as Roosters coach
Monday, August 28, 2006 - 5:53 PM
Australian rugby league coach Ricky Stuart has lost his job as head coach of the Sydney Roosters, the NRL club announced on Monday.
Stuart was under growing pressure to retain his position after the Roosters had won just eight of 23 games so far this season.
Stuart's manager John Fordham met with the Roosters chairman Nick Politis "in an attempt to reach a mutually agreeable solution", a club statement said.
"Considering the circumstances, it was in the best interests of both parties to bring an end to this debate that was causing a lot of damage," Stuart said in the statement.
"In saying that, let me make it clear that this is indeed one of the saddest days in my football career although I feel I can leave the Roosters with my head held high as we - the players, the coaching staff and the club itself - have achieved a high degree of success in the past five years.
"Although the last two years, in particular, have been very difficult for reasons that are fairly well known, there has never been a drop-off in the desire and professionalism of the players and the coaching staff to achieve success.
"The Roosters are in a rebuilding phase with lots of promising but inexperienced young players who are willing to put up their hands up and provide the platform for a more competitive club as they reach player maturity."
Stuart guided the Roosters to three successive grand finals, including a premiership in his first year in charge in 2002.
Politis said: "Ricky has every reason to be proud of the impact he has made at the Roosters on and off the field.
"He has been a credit to the game, the club and his family.
"We wish Ricky well as Australian Coach in the Tri Nations and he will always be welcome at our club."
Source: AAP