Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says he is excited about returning to the club for the 2015 NRL season, after he was cleared to return from suspension.
Flanagan was stood down for a year on December 17 in relation to Cronulla’s 2011 supplement program but he was eligible to return after nine months if he satisfactorily completed education and training courses.
On Friday NRL integrity unit chief Nick Weeks said Flanagan had satisfied all the conditions required for his return which comes in time for the start of the club’s pre-season training on Monday.
After sitting out Cronulla’s disastrous wooden spoon season this year, Flanagan said he couldn’t wait to get started.
“I am committed to restoring the reputation of the Sharks as a club that everybody in the game can be proud of,” Flanagan said in a statement.
“I now intend to focus on the future and demonstrate that I am the right person to lead the cultural change at the Sharks.”
Sharks chairman Damian Keogh welcomed Flanagan’s return and said the only way now for the embattled club was up.
The 48-year-old has coached the club since 2010. His assistant Peter Sharp took the reins in his absence in 2014, before standing down from his post late in the season for James Shepherd to take over.
Shepherd remains on the Sharks coaching staff for next season.
“We welcome Shane back after his suspension and look forward to him continuing to build on the strong coaching record he had in leading the Sharks to the finals in 2012 and 2013,” Keogh said.
“Shane has served his penalty, satisfied the NRL’s requirements and deserves the chance to re-start his coaching career. He returns with the full support of both the board and of the club.
“We have a great supporter base who have been very loyal to the Sharks and we look forward to rewarding that loyalty with strong on field performances.
“The past two years haven’t been easy for the club but it is now time to move forward in a positive direction.”
Weeks confirmed Flanagan’s return in a statement.
“The NRL has been impressed with Mr Flanagan’s commitment to meeting the conditions set down for his return,” Weeks said.
“Consequently his suspension is lifted and he can return to coaching duties at any time.”
One person who won’t be on deck for the beginning of the Sharks pre-season is skipper Paul Gallen whose back-dated 12-month doping ban ends on November 21.
