GOLD Coast coach Neil Henry has rubbished suggestions of a feud between him and Jarryd Hayne while speaking to the media for the first time since the club held crisis talks with the pair on Monday.

Publicly the club said it hadn’t made a decision on the future of either man but it has since been reported the Titans are planning to sack Henry after the team’s game against Parramatta on Thursday night.

Henry said he hasn’t been told anything like that and wants to stay in charge in 2018, but admitted the frenzy on the glitter strip had been “upsetting” and a distraction for his players. He also denied allegations he delivered an ultimatum to the Titans that it was “him or me” with regards to his and Hayne’s futures.

“There’s no feud between us, we’re sitting there doing the team review in the front row … that is rubbish,” Henry told reporters.

“It’s a beat-up in the media all this … there’s no feud. There’s not. You can ask any players about it and they’ll say the same thing.”

But as much as Henry tried to quash talk of any difficulties in the relationship between he and Hayne, the cryptic way he skirted around some questions suggests not everything is as rosy as he wants people to believe.

Asked if Hayne was a team player, Henry said: “That’s a difficult one, he’s part of a team and he works hard.”

Pressed on whether he wanted Hayne at the club next year if he was still coach, Henry refused to answer and later offered up this on whether the NSW star would stay in Queensland next year: “That’s up to him, he’s contracted here as much as I’m contracted here ... He’s a quality player and if he chooses to play here he’ll be part of my team.”

When asked if Hayne was tough to coach, Henry said: “Players are tough to coach at different times but you’ve got to manage personalities … that’s what coaches have to do. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. You can’t expect your whole squad to be happy with everything you do all the time.”

Henry said rumours the pair were no longer on speaking terms weren’t true and also addressed a story that came out earlier in the year saying he wasn’t happy with the superstar’s attitude at training. Henry said the story about the leadership group fining Hayne in November came out at the start of the season because of an “agenda” against Hayne.

“That story came out just before our first round game,” Henry said. “We’re talking about something that had been done and dealt with.

“You’re talking about stuff you’ve conveniently held and then it comes out ... it’s unfair.

“It was an agenda to have a crack at my player.”

GROTHE’S BIG GRIPE WITH HAYNE CRITICS

The Courier Mail reports Gold Coast will try to push Hayne out, telling him he’s free to be released from the final year of his deal if he can find a suitor to take his $1.2 million a season contract off the club’s hands. It’s unlikely an NRL will be in a position to do so, but Hayne could field strong offers from either French or Japanese Rugby.

Courier Mail rugby league journalist Travis Meyn said the Titans “will try” to get rid of both Hayne and Henry, but it’s easier said than done.

They will try. But will be a very difficult sell. — Travis Meyn (@travismeyn) August 14, 2017

Channel Nine reporter Ben Dobbin told Triple M Brisbane’s Marto, Ed and Robin the board is upset with both Hayne and Henry and won’t be surprised if it gives Hayne his marching orders.

"Don't be surprised if Hayne gets flick too I spoke to board member they're extremely disappointed w/ both of em" @MyMateDobbo #jarrydhayne — Marto, Ed & Robin (@MartoEdAndRobin) August 14, 2017

Penrith great Mark Geyer says it’s sad to see the turmoil unfolding on the Gold Coast because of the struggles the area’s had to establish a sustainable rugby league team over the years.

“This time last year they were making a run for the eight and they were one of the glamour teams in the competition and we were all in love with the Titans. All of a sudden the wheels have fallen off the wagon and it’s sad to see,” Geyer told the Triple M Grill Team.

“We need a team thriving on the Gold Coast ... the Crushers, the Chargers, the Giants (have all failed) and finally we thought the Titans were going to be that (successful) team and I still think they’re going to be, but it’s important they sort this crap out.”

Queensland centre Justin Hodges has questioned Hayne’s contribution to Gold Coast’s culture, saying if he couldn’t be a role model for the younger players and do little things around the club to help then he should be punted.

It’s not a new criticism, as plenty have suggested a man chewing up such a large chunk of the salary cap needs to do more than just turn up and play for 80 minutes every week.

But Hayne’s former Parramatta teammate Eric Grothe Jr blames the Titans for signing Hayne to provide the off-field impact they should have known he wasn’t capable of producing. He argued people shouldn’t expect him to mould the club’s culture as well as perform on the paddock because he’s not that type of character.

“What are you buying him for? What are you paying Hayne for? If you’re going into buying Jarryd Hayne as someone to change your culture and to build your club culture around, I wouldn’t even attempt to do that,” Grothe said on The Undergrothe Podcast he hosts with his father, Eels legend Eric Grothe.

“That’s what people are doing and putting that pressure on him, he gets that much money because he’s a freak. People are saying, ‘He’s getting that much money, he’s overpaid,’ it doesn’t f***ing matter.

“He’s getting paid that much because he drags bums on seats and when he’s on fire he’s on fire and he can break apart any team.

“But they (the Titans) are buying him I believe with a notion he’s going to change the whole club culture and everyone’s going to get on board the Hayne Plane — he’s not that type of player, he’s not that bloke.”

Grothe Jr says it makes no difference if players on half of Hayne’s pay cheque are outperforming him because it’s the club’s fault for offering him big money in the first place.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s f***ing bulls***. I don’t even know why you bring that s*** up. It’s bulls***,” Grothe said. “He gets that much money because people offer him that much money.

“He’s not going to say, ‘OK I might not play perfect every week so keep that and only pay me every now and then.’

“What I believe they’re doing wrong is they’re buying him thinking he’s going to be the culture change ... He’s not that bloke.

“They should let him be a freak without the attachment of all that responsibility.”

After talks at the club had ended on Monday Titans CEO Graham Annesley said the board will be in a stronger position next week to make its decision and did not offer any detail on what was discussed in the lengthy meeting.

“There are things that we have talked about today that go beyond that issue,” Annesley said.

“It’s broader than what might appear on the surface in relation to Jarryd and Neil. They’re the issues the board want to feel comfortable about before making a final decision.

“We haven’t determined a course of action yet. There are a range of things that need to be resolved before the board can make a final determination.

“The board adjourned the meeting and they will reconvene after they have taken full time to consider what options are available.

“The board will not be rushed into making a decision.”

Titans chair Rebecca Frizelle said the club enjoyed “open and frank” discussion with both Henry and Hayne on Monday, confirming both spoke separately to the board.

Doubts still surround Hayne’s availability for the Titans’ clash with Parramatta on Thursday night after he suffered an injury on the weekend, as Annesley said his selection remained up to Henry.