Flanagan was found to be heavily involved in club matters, including player recruitment and retention, in 2014 during his one-year ban for involvement in the club’s peptide scandal.
While Flanagan says he intends to respond to the NRL’s notice of deregistration at a later date, he has made the decision to stand down, “in the best interest of the entire club”.
“This was obviously one of the toughest decisions of my 36-year rugby league career to resign from the head coaching role at Cronulla,” Flanagan said in a statement
The last month has taken an enormous mental and emotional toll on my family and myself.
“I intend on responding to the notice issued by the NRL, however I have made this decision in the best interests of the entire club and the players to allow the best possible preparation for the 2019 season without constant speculation and uncertainty as to who their head coach will be.”
Club chairman Dino Mezzatesta thanked Flanagan for his work during a lengthy spell as Sharks coach, and in particular for delivering Cronulla its first NRL premiership in 2016.
Club chairman Dino Mezzatesta thanked Flanagan for his work during a lengthy spell as Sharks coach, and in particular for delivering Cronulla its first NRL premiership in 2016.
“Shane was our first premiership-winning coach, he is the coach of our team of the half century and he has given exceptional service and dedication to our club,” Mezzatesta said.
“He worked tirelessly to build our team and our club into a competitive force and he will forever hold a special place in the club’s history.”
Flanagan’s position was put in jeopardy by the December ruling handed down after an integrity unit investigation into his conduct during the 2014 suspension.
Along with his deregistration, the Sharks were fined $800,000, including the suspended $400,000 from the fine imposed after the supplements scandal in 2013, for which Flanagan was originally suspended.
In handing down the decision, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said the unit had found “a substantial volume of material” that proved Flanagan’s involvement with the club at the time.
“Part of those conditions [for Flanagan’s ban] was a requirement that the club not allow Mr Flanagan to be concerned directly or indirectly with the club whilst he was suspended,” Greenberg said.
