Shepherd must stay as Sharks coach: Gal

Captain Paul Gallen believes James Shepherd must remain as Cronulla’s caretaker coach for the rest of the NRL season as the Sharks desperately attempt to stave off the wooden spoon.

The Sharks’ inconsistent performances have continued under Shepherd since Peter Sharp stepped down as interim coach three weeks ago, with their incredible come-from-behind win over premiers the Sydney Roosters backed up by a capitulation to Newcastle.

The suspended Shane Flanagan will return as head coach at the conclusion of the season and Gallen said swapping to a fourth mentor in the space of less than 12 months won’t do the Sharks any good.

“I feel we just have to keep it the way it is,” Gallen told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday.

“I spoke to (Sharks boss) Steve Noyce yesterday and basically said it would unfair on the players if we had another coach.

“We have had three voices already since December with Flanno, Sharpey and now Shep.

“To get a fourth bloke in the space of 10 months, it is unfair to the players.

“There’s eight games to go and we play this Friday so we are not going to get a new coach in this week.

“By the time a new coach comes in and stamps his authority and brings his style of play it will take him two weeks or so and suddenly there is five games to go.”

Gallen’s comments late last month that “I don’t think players have been putting 100 per cent in because they’re under the impression Sharpy isn’t putting 100 per cent in” preceded Sharp’s exit.

The NSW captain said it was up to the Sharks’ senior players, along with the club’s former under-20s coach Shepherd, to steer the last-placed Sharks through the final eight rounds.

“The senior players with Shep have to step up and take some real responsibility and tough it out until the end of the year,” Gallen said.

“We know we can’t make the semi-finals. Our goal is to get as far away from the wooden spoon as we can.

“We have some winnable games, especially at Shark Park and that is our goal for the rest of the year to win the rest of our home games.”

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