Cronulla Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon has dismissed reports that he will be coach of the club for the next 20 years as merely a show of support from the Sharks board.
The Sharks have been one of the strongest teams in season 2022 and since Fitzgibbon has arrived, have transformed from a middle-of-the-pack team into a genuine premiership hopeful.
Sitting third on the ladder in Fitzgibbon’s first season at the helm led Sharks chairman Steven Mace to say the coach will be in the role for the next two decades.
Fitzgibbon said he and Mace share a jovial relationship and whilst those comments were obviously in gest, he appreciates the support from Mace and other members of the board.
“He’s a good man the Chairman and he jokes to me all the time about it,” Fitzgibbon said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.
“I’ve asked for a 20-minute extension and I think I’m limping to the finish line.
“20 years is a long way away and it was only meant to be a show of support.
“It’s nice to know you are supported but it’s also so far ahead.
“I’m barely getting through the first year.”
The Sharks are eyeing a top two finish on the NRL ladder for the first time since 1999 and have a relatively easy run home with matches against the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and Knights to finish the home and away season.
Fitzgibbon said that they will go into all three of those matches with the same mindset for any game and will not focus on future finals fixtures.
“We won’t be resting players but won’t be pushing players under an injury cloud,” he said.
“They are really important attitude games for us and really important that we view each contest as a checklist and an audition.
“You never disrespect your opponent in the NRL because if you turn up and your effort and heart isn’t in the right place, you’ll slip up.
“We need to make sure we are spot on with our attitude and are ready to go.”
The Sharks next face Manly on August 20.