Nathan Brown to be Stains coach next year

[Kittwazzer]

McManus has just been waiting for the opportunity to get shut of Simmonds & thought that by doing it he would get Brown before the end of this season!!!

I still expect that to happen, especially if Giants see a dip in form!

[josie andrews]

GIANTS SURPRISED BY SAINT BROWN

Huddersfield have expressed their surprise at the decision of head coach Nathan Brown to join Super League rivals St Helens, but the man himself snubbed the chance to explain his move.

Saints today confirmed the appointment of the 38-year-old Australian as the successor to Royce Simmons for 2013 after he completed a second about-turn in just over two years.

In May 2010 Brown announced he would be quitting the Giants at the end of that season, despite having 12 months left on his contract, to return to Australia for family reasons, only to reverse his decision two months later.

Brown went on to see out his three-year deal and sign a 12-month extension, but last December Huddersfield announced he would be returning home at the end of 2012 and appointed assistant Paul Anderson as his successor from 2013.

The former St George Illawarra boss was expected to explain his second reversal at the club's weekly press conference but pulled out at the last minute, with Anderson stepping in to face a larger-than-usual media turn-out.

"If I'm being honest, I found out 10 minutes ago that it had been announced," Anderson said.

"What Browny does next year is his business. He is very committed to Huddersfield this year and he's going to go with everybody's best wishes."

Brown became Saints' first choice to succeed Simmons, who was sacked after the club's worst-ever run in Super League, once former head coach Daniel Anderson ruled out a permanent return to England.

He turned Huddersfield into a major force in Super League, masterminding a Challenge Cup final appearance in his first season and taking the Giants to within 80 minutes of a maiden Grand Final in 2010.

They currently top the table with seven wins from their opening nine matches.

As speculation mounted over a move to St Helens, Brown last month issued a statement insisting he would remain at the Galpharm Stadium for the rest of the season but left open the chance to take over in November.

Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis said: "Nathan informed me recently as to the background of this news and my first reaction was to congratulate him upon securing such a prestigious position.

"I was naturally surprised as I know his plan initially was that he wanted to return to Australia but things do change and it will be good for the game in this country to have him stay for longer.

"Our plans for succession have been in place for some time now and I am sure that everyone connected with the Giants will be doing all they can to make this last year here for Nathan a memorable and successful one."

Saints caretaker coaches Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham, who have enjoyed outstanding victories over Leeds and Warrington since taking over from Simmons, are expected to stay in charge until the end of the season when Brown will take up a three-year contract.

Saints chairman Eamonn McManus said: "We are extremely pleased that Nathan will be joining us next season.

"I believe he is ideally suited for the Saints both with regard to the way we want to play and as to what we aim to achieve in terms of success.

"He is still a relatively young coach but already has pedigree and experience gained over many years as a head coach at the highest levels both in the NRL and in Super League."

St Helens' appointment, which Ladbrokes say cost them £10,000, has been welcomed by Wigan boss Shaun Wane.

"I think it's great," he said.

"I like the way Nathan coaches. He'll be a great asset and he'll suit the St Helens style.

"I knew Eamonn McManus would go for someone like him because he likes that style.

"I'm looking forward to pitting myself against him next year."

Cunningham, who is in his second year on Saints' backroom staff after hanging up his boots, will work alongside Brown next season, enabling Rush to concentrate on his primary role of player development.Cunningham said: "I'm excited about Nathan's arrival and really look forward to working with him.

"The strength of our squad and of our coaching team in the years ahead will put us in a very strong position to continue to improve and to succeed at the highest level."

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480

[Kittwazzer]

Doesn't exactly put him on the side of the angels does it!