Adam O’Brien to Depart Newcastle Knights at End of 2025 NRL Season
Newcastle Knights head coach Adam O’Brien will part ways with the club at the conclusion of the 2025 NRL season, ending a six-year tenure marked by both finals success and recent struggles. The club confirmed the news on August 28, stating that the decision was a mutual agreement between O’Brien and club management.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract, O’Brien acknowledged that he was no longer the right person to lead the team into the future. Speaking candidly, he described himself as a “distraction” and felt stepping down would give the Knights a “clearer path forward” for the 2026 season. He will remain in charge for the final two matches of the season before formally departing.
O’Brien took over in 2020 and initially helped turn around a struggling Knights outfit, guiding them to the finals in four of his six seasons. His leadership brought a level of consistency that the club had lacked for years, making him the second-longest-serving coach in Newcastle’s history after Michael Hagan.
However, 2025 has been a disappointing year for the Knights, with underwhelming performances leading to mounting pressure from fans and media. This season’s struggles—and the resulting scrutiny—appear to have influenced the timing of the decision. Speculation had been growing in recent weeks, with reports of internal discussions and press conference cancellations only fueling rumours of an imminent change.
Looking ahead, the club is now in search of a new head coach. Assistant coach Blake Green has been mentioned as a possible successor, while former Gold Coast Titans and St Helens coach Justin Holbrook is also considered a frontrunner. Incoming CEO Peter Parr will oversee the recruitment process, with a decision expected before the 2026 pre-season.
O’Brien departs with his reputation intact and could still find a new role in the NRL or overseas. Meanwhile, the Knights are already preparing for a rebuild, with star playmaker Dylan Brown joining the club next year.
The decision marks a turning point for Newcastle, who will be hoping a new coaching direction can revitalise the squad and return them to finals contention. For O’Brien, it’s the end of a significant chapter—one that helped reshape the Knights but ultimately ran its course.
