Hagan released from Newcastle role

Former Newcastle coach Michael Hagan has become the first high-profile official to bite the dust in the Nathan Brown-era at the Knights.

The club’s former coach has been removed from his role of football director following an internal end-of-season review.

“It became clear that my role would change when the new coach was appointed and I understand that,” Hagan said.

“I have enjoyed the last 12 months and we have been successful in retaining most of our young, talented players in spite of a very heated player market.”

Hagan was named the club’s football director last September, and oversaw Rick Stone’s return to the head coaching role last season.

“We would like to thank Michael for his contribution to the Club as Director of Football,” CEO Matt Gidley said.

Hagan won a premiership in his first season as coach of the Knights in 2001, spending 151 games at the helm before leading Parramatta for two seasons in 2007 and 2008.

He has also been Mal Meninga’s assistant coach for the Queensland State of Origin team for the past six years, a role that could potentially change if Meninga takes up a full-time job as the Kangaroos mentor.

Hagan previously coached the Maroons through two series losses in 2004 and 2005.

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