Phil Gould has been called in to help sort through St George Illawarra’s failed NRL campaign as part of an end-of-season review to begin next week.
The Dragons will finish the year in 15th spot regardless of their result against Gold Coast on Saturday, the lowest ranking in the joint-venture’s 20-year history.
The review will extend over the whole of coach Paul McGregor’s football department, in following with one that is carried out at the end of ever season.
But chief executive Brian Johnston said this year’s would take on extra significance given they have won just seven games over the opening 23 rounds.
“Nobody at the club is happy with how the Dragons have performed and that’s extended to all our stakeholders including members and supporters,” Johnston said.
“We are committed to reviewing all aspects of our football department to ensure improvement in 2020.”
Gould’s involvement will be his first at an NRL club since he left Penrith earlier in the year, ending an eight-year stint as the club’s head of football.
The Dragons undertook a similar review at the end of 2016, which was headed by former captain Mark Coyne.
McGregor’s role has come under particular fire from fans in recent weeks, less than five months after he was re-signed by the club on a two-year deal.
The roles of assistants Dean Young and Ben Hornby are also believed to be under serious pressure.
The Dragons had endured a wretched run at the start of the season, which included the Jack de Belin dramas and Gareth Widdop’s shoulder injury.
But their performances in the past two weeks – where they have been heavily beaten by Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers – have been a cause for concern.
McGregor accepted last week the buck must stop with him and on Friday reinforced his frustration with the season.
“No one in the football department is enthusiastic with the outcome of this year,” he said ahead of the clash with the Titans.
“But you need to grow stronger and learn from the experiences. We all do that.”