St George Illawarra have granted head coach Paul McGregor a reprieve after an emergency board meeting on Tuesday.

Just four games into a two-year contract, McGregor’s time in the role appeared up when the meeting was called in the wake of Monday’s humiliating 22-0 loss to the Bulldogs, which left the Dragons alone at the bottom of the ladder.

However, it’s understood the board decided not to sack McGregor despite a horror start to the season which has yielded four straight losses, including the past two games without scoring a try.

After the Canterbury loss, McGregor said he would not quit but he would understand if the club’s hierarchy decided to terminate his contract which runs until the end of next season.

It’s understood McGregor would be entitled to a payout figure in the vicinity of $1 million if sacked, as well as the cost of hiring a replacement which would cause financial strain on the club.

The McGregor reprieve came after close friend and former representative teammate Laurie Daley suggested it was time for him to go.

Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, Daley said people at the Dragons needed to be honest with McGregor and that he would urge his friend to consider stepping aside.

“I would say, mate, it’s not working,” Daley said.

“You seriously need to consider your position.

“Mate, I look at you now and you are not the same person.

“It looks as though it’s getting to you, understandably.

“Do you need this stress in your life? Do you think you can get the best out of this playing group?

“I would say to you, mate, as a friend, I know you’re no quitter, but you’ve got to make the decision.

“They’re not playing for you at the moment and it might be time just to say, you know what, someone else needs to come in and do that job.

“I hope if that’s the case I hope people are strong enough to tell him that, but I want him to do well, I want him to be there, I want him to come out the other side.”