Jason Ryles has reportedly turned down the opportunity to take over as head coach of the Dragons in a shock move.
9News’ Danny Weidler reported the 44-year-old will instead sign with the Melbourne Storm in a “coaching role”.
The moves means Ryles could become Craig Bellamy’s successor, but he will have to wait at least another season after the master coach extended his contract for the 2024 season on May 15.
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Bellamy signed a five-year deal in 2022 that allows the veteran coach to decide each year whether he wants to continue as the Storm’s head coach.
The 2024 season will be his 22nd in charge of the Melbourne club.
Meanwhile, the St George Illawarra club will now point their recruitment efforts elsewhere after being on the verge of signing the former Dragons prop.
That leaves interim head coach Ryan Carr in the role for the remainder of the season and the club’s chief executive confirmed the blow.
“Jason notified us this morning that he no longer wanted to be considered for the role,” Webb said to The Daily Telegraph.
“It wasn’t the right time for him.”
Ryles is currently an assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters and it’s not yet clear whether he will join the Storm immediately.
Fox League’s James Hooper reported that Roosters powerbrokers told him to “stay wide of all further commitments with the club”.
Ryles initially signed with the Tricolours to be the club’s defensive coach until the end of 2025, however were left disgruntled surrounding his negotiations with the Dragons.
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