Craig Bellamy’s Titans decision imminent as Billy Slater emerges as top target on Storm hit list

The Titans expect to know within days whether Bellamy will agree to become head coach of Gold Coast in 2027, a move that would result in Josh Hannay taking a backseat despite signing a three-year deal to replace Des Hasler.

The Titans have been secretly courting Bellamy to join the club in any capacity following his expected departure from Melbourne at the end of next season.

The Titans have an option to insert Bellamy as head coach from 2027, potentially relegating Hannay to his assistant after one season in charge.

The Storm have been kept informed on the latest developments and are aware that next year is likely to be Bellamy’s last at the club as he prepares to relocate to the Gold Coast.

Storm owner Matt Tripp held further talks with Bellamy’s management on Wednesday and while Melbourne would like him to extend, there is a recognition that he is likely to see out the final year of his contract next season before departing.

Queensland Origin coach and Storm legend Slater is believed to sit atop the hit-list of potential replacements.

Melbourne powerbrokers also remain fans of former player and assistant Jason Ryles as well as Sydney Roosters assistant Matt King, who also played for the club.

Ryles was earmarked to replace Bellamy before accepting a job at the Eels and has another three years remaining on his deal with Parramatta.

King spent five years at the Storm as a player before transitioning to coaching, where he has worked alongside triple NRL premiership coach Trent Robinson at the Sydney Roosters in recent seasons.

He has also been a regular part of the NSW Blues, where he has worked alongside Storm head of football Frank Ponissi.

The Titans, meanwhile, have been urged to front up and explain the club’s pursuit of Bellamy as Hannay’s Gold Coast debut threatens to be derailed by another contract clause circus.

Less than two months after Hasler was sacked following a drawn-out contract saga, the Titans are embroiled in another drama ahead of Hannay’s arrival at Parkwood next week.

Hannay, 45, is holidaying overseas and yet to formally arrive at Titans HQ, but already finds his future under speculation amid Gold Coast’s pursuit of 11-time NRL grand final mastermind Bellamy.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell released a carefully-worded statement from Europe on Tuesday night and Gold Coast chiefs have been urged to explain the club’s position on the back of a tumultuous season that culminated in a 16th-place finish and sacking of Hasler.

“One of their downfalls this year was communication between club, coach, fans and community,” ex-Maroons forward Corey Parker said.

“We haven’t heard a peep out of anyone.

“Whether it’s Steve Mitchell, Dennis Watt (chairman), or both of them need to be front and centre of the media and put out a statement.

“Go on camera and tell their fans that it’s bulls**t if it is. They need to give their whole support behind Josh.

“I think they do (need to speak) given what we’ve seen over the last three months.

“There’s been some decisions made around where the club’s going. If you listen to the fans and the players, there’s been some instability in that area. This only exacerbates that.

“There was some clarity around where they were going, a fresh new start, and innovative ideas to now ‘Craig Bellamy’s our man and there’s a clause in a contract’.

“It gives a really poor look, not only to the players, but also to the supporters. They are being told one thing, yet they’re reading another.

“Given the fact of where the club’s at and where they’re trying to go, it’s super important that the fans get given some sort of clarity on where the club’s at.”

Bellamy, 66, coincidentally arrived on the Gold Coast this week for his annual end-of-season holiday and did not want to comment when contacted by this masthead.

The Titans are hoping he will make a call on his future imminently, however history suggests Bellamy likes to take his time with decisions like this.

In the meantime, Hannay’s first appointment as a full-time NRL head coach is set to be overshadowed by speculation around his future and the possible arrival of Bellamy.

Hannay has knocked back assistant coach offers and had the opportunity to take over Newcastle, but chose the Gold Coast for his first proper crack at head coaching.

Parker said it was a bizarre situation for Hannay to be in.

“He had been offered assistant roles elsewhere and didn’t want to be an assistant,” he said.

“He got the opportunity to be a head coach and now it looks as though he’s not the man.

“I think of the players, the fans, where they’re at, what they’ve been told, what’s happening, what’s not happening.

“It just seems very uncertain.”

Penrith great Greg Alexander said he felt for Hannay.

“Josh is on holiday, somewhere in the world thinking that he hasn’t even started and the Titans are already trying to get rid of him,” Alexander told SEN.

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“What is going on? I can’t believe this. I can’t believe the story.

“Pandora’s box has been opened and they can’t slam it shut.

“What sort of opinion do the Gold Coast Titans have of Josh Hannay if they are looking (at Bellamy) as a back-up option?”

Originally published as Craig Bellamy’s Titans decision imminent as Billy Slater emerges as top target on Storm hit list