Sep 19th, 2019

Sep 19th, 2019

Shane Flanagan has been granted permission to return to the NRL next season but will have to serve at least two years as an assistant before he can return to a head coaching role.

The Australian Rugby League Commission met on Thursday and discussed at length Flanagan's future after the coach submitted a ten-page letter of apology for breaching the terms of a ban handed down by the NRL Integrity unit for salary cap issues.

The Sharks premiership-winning coach is allowed to return to the game as an assistant coach in December.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said the NRL agreed to allow Flanagan to return to coaching as long as he sticks to the conditions set.

Shane Flanagan to return to the NRL. (AAP)

"I have spoken to Shane at length and he has expressed significant remorse and accepted responsibility for his past actions and the detrimental impact they have had on the game,'' he said.

"We have created a pathway for Shane to return to the coaching ranks. Today's decision gives Shane an opportunity to be registered in the NRL.

"This is not a set and forget approach. Shane and any future club who employs him has numerous conditions which they must comply with and the Integrity Unit will continue to monitor his conduct over the next two seasons."

Flanagan will need to spend two seasons, 2020 and 2021 before he can resume duties as a head coach.

"I look forward to returning to the coaching ranks, firstly as an assistant coach and hopefully one day a head coach again," Flanagan said in a media release by the NRL.