According to the Daily Telegraph, the Newcastle Knights are on the verge of announcing Justin Holbrook as their new head coach, replacing Adam O’Brien after a turbulent few seasons.
The decision is expected to be ratified at the Knights’ board meeting on Monday afternoon, bringing an end to weeks of speculation over who would take charge of the struggling club.
Holbrook, the former Gold Coast Titans coach and current Sydney Roosters assistant, was given permission to interview for the position and has emerged ahead of rivals Dean Young and Blake Green.
O’Brien’s departure marks the end of a tenure that began in 2020, during which he guided Newcastle to the finals twice but ultimately struggled to build sustained success.
MORE: Broncos Walsh and Carrigan both charged by MRC
The club’s recent records have been underwhelming, with Newcastle winning less than 43% of its matches under O’Brien’s five years at the helm.
Pressure had been mounting on O’Brien throughout the season, with criticism over team selections, roster management, and a league worst attack.
Holbrook arrives with a reputation for intelligent attacking structures and a focus on player development, but his record at the Titans was mixed, offering glimpses of promise overshadowed by inconsistency.
The Knights’ board and supporters will be hoping that Holbrook can stabilise the club and translate the individual talent in the squad into sustained on-field success.
The coaching change also casts a spotlight on Newcastle’s stars, none more so than superstar Kalyn Ponga, who once again finds himself in the rumour mill suggesting he could depart Newcastle.
With the club desperate to return to finals contention, Holbrook will have a huge job ahead of him, but one where he will have Ponga for at least another season.
Supporters will be watching closely to see whether the change at the top can inspire a genuine turnaround, or whether the Knights will continue to languish in the shadow of their rivals.
A new coach may just be the fresh start needed to not only rejuvenate the Knights, but perhaps also provide a reset for several of its players.
Holbrook will begin 2026 with two blue-chip halves recruits, the Sydney Roosters’ Sandon Smith and Parramatta Eels’ Dylan Brown.
It will mark the most exciting and complete spine the Knights have had at their disposal in several years, and it provides hope that the rebuild may be a short one.