NRL coach looks set to 'quit his job' after guiding team to horrible record - and favouritism for the wooden spoon

Des Hasler's time at the Gold Coast Titans appears to be coming to an end, according to reports.

The Titans have slumped to rock bottom of the NRL ladder this season, having won only four games and are a firm favourite to claim the wooden spoon.

Hasler, who joined the club in 2024, has also now acquired the second-worst winning record of any full-time Gold Coast coach, behind Garth Brennan.

But reports from The Courier Mail state that a statement on his future is coming imminently, with the footy boss expected to announce that he will walk away from the club at the end of the season.

Michael Carayannis of the Daily Telegraph explained on SEN Breakfast that Hasler was leaving the club after reaching a 'mutual understanding' with the new ownership.

The writing appears to have been on the wall for Hasler after it was revealed that his contract at the club could be terminated at the end of the 2025 season.

'It’ll be called a retirement but it’s a mutual understanding,' Carayannis said.

'The Gold Coast Titans can call it whatever they like but Des won’t be the coach next season. It’s been an absolute failure.'

And due to a contract inserted into his deal with the club, it appears Hasler may have to fight for the final year's pay of his deal.

Carayannis revealed that while Hasler initially agreed on a three-year deal to join the club, his contract contains a top-eight clause.

'That is, if they don't make the top eight this year, the Titans are under no obligation to keep him at the club,' he added.

'There’s another element to it and that’s when they are mathematically no chance of playing finals footy, they can split immediately.'

Phil Rothfield, meanwhile, explained on his Off The Record Podcast with Andrew Webster that Hasler will make a statement on his future 'very soon'.

'Des has had particularly bitter exits with Canterbury and Manly,' Rothfield said.

'I have a feeling that after such a disastrous season that he will retire from rugby league.

'He has been a premiership-winning coach. He had a fair roster this year. He is now planning retirement.

'He had a pretty fair roster this year so I’m told he’s now planning retirement and he’s not going to have a s*** fight to get the last year of his money. He’s got plenty Des.

'Look I think it’s the right thing, he’s been a great coach great character, but look it’s been really disappointing and they need a fresh start up there.'

Hasler began his coaching journey in 2004, after a decorated playing career, where he won two premierships with Manly in 1987 and 1996. 

After hanging up his boots, he stepped into coaching and returned to take charge of the Sea Eagles for 206 matches, winning flags in 2008 and 2011 before moving to Canterbury and then back to Manly in 2019.

The Titans, meanwhile, have struggled this year to get results, with Hasler's side having lost both of their last two fixtures against the Cowboys and the Eels.

Should Hasler opt to retire, the Titans will be able to part company with their coach cleanly and search for a new boss.

One coach who has been linked with the job is Kevin Walters, while The Courier Mail adds Josh Hannay, Willie Peters, Matt King and Dean Young are also at the top of the Frizelle family's list.

Andrew Webster, meanwhile, also added that big changes could come from the Frizelle family.

'The Frizelles have been looking to get control of the club in its entirety and blow the whole thing up and start again,' Webster said on the Off The Record Podcast.

'I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed the jumper and made serious changes across the whole organisation. They will throw the bank at a big-name coach to get them there.'