Another domino in the NRL coaching world looks to has fallen, with the Newcastle Knights reportedly parting ways with Adam O'Brien.
The Newcastle coach has seemingly been on the hot seat for the majority of the 2025 season, with a confirmed bottom-two finish sealing his fate.
O'Brien has helmed the Newcastle side for six years, and while this will be just the second season of his tenure that the team will miss finals action, they haven't finished higher than fifth and have never felt truly in contention for a premiership.
Newcastle Knights reportedly axe embattled coach
The Adam O'Brien era looks to be over in Newcastle, with Michael Chammas reporting that the Knights held a Tuesday night board meeting to officially decide his future.
BREAKING
— Michael Chammas (@MichaelChammas) August 26, 2025
Massive news out of Newcastle tonight
STORY: https://t.co/9Qv8mAYQaV pic.twitter.com/237OsE8LYJ
His departure has felt imminent for some time now, following a disappointing season for the team, and will now collect a handsome payout to make an early exit from his current deal.
"It’s a mutual agreement, he’s cooked Adam O’Brien, that’s what he’s telling the club," Dean 'Bulldog' Ritchie said on NRL 360 Tuesday.
"There was a football committee meeting with a few board members present, it has to be ratified at a full board meeting on Thursday, the payout will be between $300,000 to $500,000."
The current frontrunner for the now-vacant position seems to be Newcastle assistant Blake Green, who last year knocked back a potential position coaching in the Super League for the Castleford Tigers.
"The replacement coach is to be confirmed," Ritchie said.
"It will be a process but it seems quite clear that Blake Green will be the man."
The Knights have two games remaining in their 2025 campaign against the Sharks and the Eels, as the team battles the Gold Coast Titans to avoid the wooden spoon.