Jul 30th, 2019

Jul 30th, 2019

Gold Coast's decision to appoint his former NRL teammate Justin Holbrook as coach is a risk for both parties according to Scott Sattler.

The ex-Titans football manager played alongside Holbrook at Penrith in 2001 and while he's happy for the 43-year-old, he believes there's a lot of unknowns about the appointment.

Holbrook has only held assistant coaching roles in the NRL but has enjoyed good success at the helm of English Super League team St Helens since joining them in 2017.

The Saints won the 2018 minor premiership and are 10 points clear at the top of the ladder this season after 30 matches.

Sattler says despite that encouraging record, the Titans are taking a plunge into the unknown with a coach unproven at NRL level.

"I'm not saying it disrespectfully to Justin Holbrook because it's a risk for him as well," Sattler told AAP.

"For Justin it's a risk as well because he's going to a club that's got a lot of scar tissue at the moment.

"They're trying to rebuild and going and coaching the Gold Coast Titans could be great for your career, it could hinder your career.

"On both fronts, gee, it's a risk but I think it's a risk that could have a really happy ending."

Justin Holbrook (AAP)

Gold Coast are finalising negotiations with English-based Holbrook and could confirm the appointment as soon as Wednesday.

Sattler said once the deal is finalised the first thing Holbrook and the club need to do is shake up an underperforming playing group.

Several recruits such as Bryce Cartwright, Shannon Boyd, Tyrone Peachey and Leilani Latu arrived at the Titans on big-money but have failed to live up to those price tags.

Million-dollar man Ash Taylor still has two more seasons to run on his lucrative deal as well but hasn't played for the Titans since early June as he battles personal issues.

"They've got to be willing to free some players up that haven't hit the targets they've anticipated with the money they're being paid," Sattler said.

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"They've got to be brutal in their approach and go and sign a couple of seasoned veterans who can really change the fabric of the club internally.

"We've seen the success that Canberra have had identifying the right UK players that can make it in the NRL.

"He's (Holbrook) got that direct link to the UK Super League where he's held in really high esteem. He could possibly recruit a couple of really good English players that could handle the rigours of the NRL."

©AAP2019