Gold Coast Titans Executive Chairman Dennis Watt says the Club has been impressed by the calibre of candidates put forward for the role of Titans Head Coach for the 2020 season.

Watt said a thorough process to find a new Head Coach had already begun, but the Titans would take a measured approach to the appointment to ensure the successful candidate is the right fit for the Club.

“While the past few weeks have been disappointing for our organisation, the Titans are looking forward with a strong sense of optimism, particularly given the outstanding credentials of the candidates who have been put forward for the role of Head Coach,” Watt said.

“This is obviously a critical decision for the Club’s immediate future, and one that will not be rushed, nor taken lightly.

“However, the quality of the candidates so far shows that the wider rugby league community shares our view that the Titans have enormous potential to become a powerhouse in the NRL, with our junior development pathways and ongoing community support.”

Watt reconfirmed that Titans Assistant Coaches Craig Hodges and Luke Burt would take over the running of the NRL squad as interim Head Coaches for the remainder of the 2019 season.

Titans Head of Performance and Culture Mal Meninga will provide greater hands-on assistance and guidance to the interim coaches where required.

“We are indeed very fortunate with the quality of coaches that we currently have available at the Club to ensure we finish this season as positively and successfully as we can,” Watt said.

“Craig and Luke will take over the day-to-day running of the NRL squad, but we are in the enviable position of being able to call on the knowledge and experience of a rugby league Immortal and current Australian coach in Mal to help us through this period.

“The Titans are determined to begin building for the future. We are committed to making this club successful for the people of the Gold Coast, and for the NRL.

“The first step in that process is to finish this season strongly on the field to create a platform for our new Head Coach to build upon.”