COACH Shane Flanagan is back in charge of the Cronulla Sharks despite admitting to the "management failures" for which he was stood down.

"It has been a tough few weeks for all of us, but I now understand why I was stood down and why the board made the decisions it has," Flanagan said. "There were management failures. We have agreed that there have to be changes in the way we work and the way we look after players."

As foreshadowed on this website at 9.15am, the Sharks board announced the lifting Flanagan’s suspension at a 10.15am press conference, allowing him to return for Sunday's game against the New Zealand Warriors.

Flanagan, who is expected to return to training tomorrow, was stood down two weeks ago in relation to the doping scandal engulfing the club. Four senior staff were also sacked.

And with the doping crisis in mind, the board will now impose a strict set of guidelines on Flanagan now he’s back in charge.

"The board and Shane have agreed that new management processes must be implemented in the future with specific reference to responsibilities required of him as head coach of the club," new chairman Glenn Coleman said.

Cronulla’s four sacked officials - football general manager Darren Mooney, head trainer Mark Noakes, physiotherapist Konrad Schulz and long-serving team doctor Dave Givney – remain on the outer, but have the backing of Flanagan.

"I’d like to see the other staff come back," he said.

Flanagan’s reappointment will bring relief to the entire playing squad, who have been vocal in their support for their coach.

Sharks captain Paul Gallan led the push for Flanagan to retain his job.

The possibility he could be reinstated arose when Damian Irvine quit as chairman last week, with Coleman taking over.

Originally published as Flanno back, but admits 'failures'