Cronulla are officially on the lookout for a new head coach following the resignation of Shane Flanagan in the wake of his deregistration by the NRL in December.

Flanagan still has until the end of January to respond to the NRL’s show-cause notice that was handed down to him after he breached conditions during his 2014 suspension over the Sharks’ peptides scandal.

But in the best interests of the club, the man who guided the team to their first premiership in 2016, has decided to quit immediately.

“The Sharks to come to a decision and make an announcement on a head coach for 2019 in the coming weeks,” a statement from the club read on Monday.

Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP NOW!

John Morris has already been named as interim coach, but if the club decides to look elsewhere, there are a number of possible replacements in both Australia and overseas.

Foxsports.com.au has broken down who they are and whether they’re a likely candidate for the job.

John Morris

Morris was named interim coach when the club returned from their Christmas break.

The 38-year-old former playmaker has been an assistant at Cronulla since retiring after 300 NRL games in 2014. He immediately joined the staff as under-20s coach and has been working with the team behind the scenes as an elite development coach since.

Morris is highly respected among the Sharks playing group as a smart and articulate mentor who is adept at developing young players and setting standards.

Cronulla Sharks interim coach John Morris. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

He took the Sharks’ Holden Cup team to their maiden premiership in 2017 in just his second season of full-time coaching, and they were semi-finalists the year before.

Although he doesn’t have experience as an NRL head coach, he’s been around long enough to know Cronulla’s systems inside and out and his full-time appointment would make for the smoothest transition for the playing group.

MORE NEWS

SHARKS’ BEST 17: SPOTS UP FOR GRABS AFTER TURMOIL

ROOSTERS’ BEST 17: TITLE DEFENCE ON THE CARDS

EELS’ BEST 17: NEW FACES, BUT SAME STORY?

STORM’S BEST 17: THE GAPING HOLE THAT NEEDS FILLING

Steve Price

One of the few options the Sharks have with NRL experience. The former Dragons coach was sacked from his role in 2014 after two and a half years in the job, although he had a tough job to follow Wayne Bennett at the club. Previously, he had spent more than a decade working with the under-20s and as an NRL assistant.

He also spent three years with the Sharks after he was released from the Dragons, working with Flanagan from 2015 and helping to mastermind the 2016 NRL premiership.

Since the start of 2018, Price has been the head coach of Warrington in the English Super League, making the grand final in his first season at the club.

Former Cronulla Sharks assistant coach Steve Price. Picture: Jonathan Ng Source: News Corp Australia

Although it would make sense theoretically to chase Price, who has knowledge of the inner workings of the club and the playing roster, it’s unlikely he would leave his role with Warrington after just one season — especially after helping the club snare the huge signature of Gareth Widdop for 2020.

Price is notoriously media shy, and while he would be a strong leader for the team internally, walking into the hot bed of controversy at Cronulla is not exactly enticing.

However, stranger things have happened.

Trent Barrett

The former Sharks star and Manly coach seems a logical long-term replacement for Flanagan — although it’s worth noting that Barrett resigned from the Sea Eagles citing a lack of resources and Cronulla are in a similarly desperate situation.

However, he could thrive on the challenge if given the right support from the club.

Trent Barrett. Source: AAP

He was spotted in Cronulla late last year, sparking talk he could link with the club where he finished playing career in 2010.

Barrett spent three years at Manly where they made the finals once. Although he is still on Manly’s payroll as he serves a 12-month notice period, a rare opportunity to become an NRL coach could prompt him to take a shot with the Sharks.

Anthony Griffin

Sensationally sacked by Penrith a month before the finals in 2018, the former Broncos and Panthers mentor is without a gig after being accused of being “old school”.

Griffin’s name has been mentioned as one of the only coaches available so late in the pre-season with NRL experience.

His spiteful exit from Penrith will be fresh in fans memories, but Griffin was adamant he wants to remain coaching in the NRL. Obviously, with only 16 jobs in the business, opportunities are as rare as hens teeth, but Griffin was paid out of the final two years of his contract (he was signed with Penrith until 2020), meaning he can take his time selecting a new gig.

Sacked Penrith Panthers coach Anthony Griffin. Picture: Tim Hunter. Source: News Corp Australia

Jim Dymock

Following Des Hasler’s dramatic exit from the Bulldogs in 2017, long-time assistant Dymock was considered among the candidates to replace him. He was said to be ‘shattered’ when he was overlooked for the job, and left the club after more than a decade to join Cronulla in 2018.

But given he was overlooked for interim coach in favour of Morris, it appears unlikely he’ll get the nod for the top job.

Cronulla Sharks assistant coach Jim Dymock. Picture: Tim Hunter. Source: News Corp Australia

In 2011 he stepped in as interim coach at the Bulldogs for eight games after they sacked Kevin Moore, and he commands enormous respect from the playing group and coaching staff.

The 46-year-old had a 15-year first grade career in both Australia and in England and represented New South Wales, Australia and Tonga.

Adam O’Brien

The Roosters assistant coach spent 11 seasons with Melbourne before moving to Sydney in 2018. Highly respected and well-liked, O’Brien is an NRL coach in waiting — in the same mould as Anthony Seibold before finally getting his chance at the Rabbitohs.

O’Brien was working in the lower grades with the Storm from 2007 before he became an assistant in 2014. He was promoted to senior assistant in 2017, helping the club to back to back NRL grand finals and the 2017 premiership.

The Craig Bellamy apprenticeship is one of the most educational in the NRL and O’Brien is as well-placed as any graduate to move into the NRL ranks.

Melbourne Storm assistant coach Adam O'Brien leading a training session. Source: Supplied

Cameron Ciraldo

The Panthers assistant took over as head coach in enormously difficult circumstances this season after Anthony Griffin was sacked a month from the finals. He took it all in his stride.

Ciraldo is considered an NRL coach in the making and also spent time with Cronulla during his playing career between 2005 and 2007.

He remains assistant to Ivan Cleary at the Panthers and is an unlikely option to take on the Sharks gig.