Newcastle boss Phil Gardner has promised new rookie head coach Adam O’Brien will have final say on his support staff, including possible consultant Tim Sheens.
Gardner also revealed on Tuesday that O’Brien was one of two candidates interviewed from a shortlist that included Craig Fitzgibbon, David Furner, Cameron Ciraldo and Kristian Woolf.
His appointment on a three-year deal was made official on Monday night following a tumultuous fortnight since Nathan Brown’s dramatic resignation when his team was still in finals contention.
Knights CEO Gardner denied reports Furner, the former Canberra coach, has already been hired as an assistant without O’Brien’s approval.
“That’ll be Adam’s decision,” Gardner said.
“I know Adam and David have known each other for a long time. I know that they obviously have a high opinion of each other. Adam will tell us what he wants us.”
O’Brien will also decide whether to lean on the experience of Sheens, the four-time premiership-winning coach, in a technical director type of role.
Working on the advice of Knights legend Matthew Johns, and even Brown himself, the club has been in talks with Sheens about helping in the Hunter.
“Nathan Brown told me (on Monday) that you look at any of those halves that have come through and played for Australia, Tim Sheens has had a hand in their development,” Gardner said.
“Benji Marshall wouldn’t be the great player he is without Tim. He thinks that he would be a great person to have around the club.
“But it’s Adam’s decision now. Adam’s open to whatever will make the club better.”
The developments come after it emerged veteran administrator John Quayle and Knights legend Danny Buderus have walked away from the club’s advisory board.
It was claimed neither was consulted about the decision to part with Brown.
However, Gardner said both now want their former positions formalised.
“They want the best for this club, but being an honorary position where it’s just where they can give help, they thought that wasn’t the right thing,” he said.
“They want us to formalise those positions. They want us to have the best people in the game, with job descriptions, being paid, and being part of that process.
“That’s what we’ll discuss with Adam once he starts.”
Gardner continued to deny claims the Knights had sounded out O’Brien about the job first, prompting Brown to sensationally quit.
He said the club had canvassed assistants over the past month after St Helens looked to fill their head coach role vacated by Gold Coast-bound Justin Holbrook.
Woolf, the Knights’ current caretaker, has been heavily linked to the job.
“We had some pre-work done because we had St Helens in the club for the last 3-4 weeks interviewing all our coaches with a view that at least once of them would be leaving, going to St Helens,” Gardner said.
“Myself, (director of football Brian Canavan), all of our staff, we had no contact with Adam O’Brien before that Monday afternoon when Nathan resigned.”