Cronulla Sharks hailed as club with potential by CEO target Lyall Gorman
NRL lift ban on suspended Sharks coach Shane Flanagan
NRL lift ban on suspended Sharks coach Shane Flanagan
THE lofty ambitions of the Cronulla Sharks is equal to that of the early days at the Western Sydney Wanderers, according to the A-League club’s former chairman.
Lyall Gorman, a prime target to replace Steve Noyce as chief executive, has broken his silence on being linked to the toughest job in the NRL.
Comforted by the return of head coach Shane Flanagan from suspension, the embattled Sharks remain without a CEO after Noyce was recently told his services would be no longer required by a board determined to implement new leadership and a foundation for cultural change, professionalism and sustained success.
FLANAGAN WANTS TO RESTORE PRIDE AT SHARKS
Former Wanderers CEO Lyall Gorman is a possible target for the Cronulla Sharks.
Former Wanderers CEO Lyall Gorman is a possible target for the Cronulla Sharks.
Gorman, the former CEO of Football Federation Australia and the founding chairman of the Wanderers, was reluctant to discuss if he had met with Cronulla management.
“I think it’s disrespectful to talk about any business publicly,’’ Gorman told The Sunday Telegraph. “I’ve been humbled and flattered by approaches from a variety of codes. So on a personal basis, I continue to work through that.’’
Gorman was willing to expand on his view of the Sharks, who are once again wading through another drama, this time relating to club captain Paul Gallen’s offensive tweet.
Hart on NRL's Paul Gallen sanction
Hart on NRL's Paul Gallen sanction
“I’m a sport lover and follow all sports very closely,’’ Gorman said.
“So if you ask me my opinion of the Sharks, they’re a club that has a tremendous future, tremendous potential.
“(They have) been through a challenging time, but the leadership of the board is very positive, it’s strong and very encouraging.
“(The club has) a playing group of huge potential, I know they have four boys in the Australian Schoolboys teams, they have a region which is well recognised for their passion and parochialism.
“And with the right consistent application of vision, values and culture it could be a club that continues to excel year-in, year-out in the NRL.
“So that’s my view of the club. I think it’s got an outstanding potential.’’
Lyall Gorman oversaw the Western Sydney Wanderers’ remarkable entry into the sporting lan
Lyall Gorman oversaw the Western Sydney Wanderers’ remarkable entry into the sporting landscape.
Gorman recently stepped down from the role as executive chairman of the Wanderers after overseeing the $12 million sale of the two-year-old franchise to Primo Smallgoods owner, Paul Lederer.
Gorman recalls the early days of the Wanderers when he needed to rally community support to ensure firstly their birth and subsequent growth, before turning them into one of the A-League’s biggest drawing teams.
Gorman said he could draw a comparison with the football club and what the Sharks were desperately striving to achieve as they embark on their 2015 rescue mission.
“I think the aspiration and ambition and passion that exudes in Western Sydney is also incredibly obvious and untapped to its full potential in the Shire, so there are similarities for sure in that regard,’’ Gorman said.
The Sharks hope to appoint a new CEO within the next fortnight, with interim chief Marcelo Velos currently performing those duties.
Former Wanderers CEO Lyall Gorman is a possible target for the Cronulla Sharks.
Former Wanderers CEO Lyall Gorman is a possible target for the Cronulla Sharks.
