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Murray asked to walk away |
Murray asked to walk away | 19.05.2008 | |
NORTH Queensland chairman Laurence Lancini has asked Graham Murray to resign as coach of the Cowboys.The stunning development comes on a day when Murray revealed to The Daily Telegraph he would not be coaching again after 2008.
It is understood the Cowboys would pay out the remainder of Murray`s contract this year if he stood down immediately, believed to be worth about $150,000.
Murray has not decided on whether he will quit but it seems likely he will.
The Cowboys coaching drama intensified after Saturday night`s 38-6 loss to Manly at Gosford.
There are even suggestions that unless Murray - the man who finally made North Queensland a powerhouse franchise - resigns, he could be sacked as early as this week.
The man who took North Queensland to a historic 2005 grand final appearance may have coached his final game of rugby league.
North Queensland management desperately want Murray to resign to save them from the unsavoury task of sacking the club`s most successful coach.
Cowboys management has been accused of initiating the drama by telling Murray before the season started that 2008 would be his final year in charge.
It is understood Lancini met Murray one-on-one late last week.
If Murray goes, assistant coach Ian Millward would be caretaker for the remainder of 2008 before he, too, leaves in 2009 to be David Furner`s off-sider in Canberra. Raiders coach Neil Henry will not leave the club mid-season to start his deal early with North Queensland.
Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr would not comment on the situation last night, only saying: "Anyone associated with the club isn`t happy with where we`re sitting (second last). We will continue to review and monitor the situation."
Asked how he felt about the situation, Murray said: "I don`t feel comfortable talking about it.
"I can`t say too much. We`ll see what happens."
Murray said last night this would be his final season of coaching.
"I won`t be coaching after this year," he said. "I have had a real good innings - 16 years of coaching in first grade.
"It has been a wonderful and enjoyable journey.
"I have never taken coaching for granted and it has always been a job I have cherished. The day was always coming when it was going to end. I`ve had my time.
"Obviously we are feeling the pressure at the moment."
Murray, who will continue to live in Townsville, has experienced a wonderful coaching career.
He took Illawarra to their first finals appearance, won a Challenge Cup with English giants Leeds, guided the Roosters to a grand final and then took North Queensland to the finals for the first time in 2004.
The following year, North Queensland reached the grand final only to be beaten by the Wests Tigers.
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