The Adam O'Brien era is officially over in Newcastle, with the Knights coach to be the door at season's end.
2025 has been a tumultuous year for the club, who have won just six-games heading into the final two rounds of the regular season.
O'Brien was billed as the Knights saviour after his apprenticeship's under both Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson; and the returns after four seasons looked promising, making three finals appearances.
But with his career win rate dropping below 50 per cent this season, powerbrokers in the Hunter were unable to justify bringing him back for another crack at premiership glory.
So attention now turns to who will be taking over the reins from O'Brien as the next head coach in Newcastle.
Reports suggest that the three candidates leading the race appear to be Blake Green, Willie Peters, and Justin Holbrook.
The Sporting News breaks down each coaching candidate for the Knights job and how they would fare in that role.
MORE: Adam O'Brien sacked: Knights officially part ways with coach
Who will be the next head coach of the Newcastle Knights?
Blake Green
Blake Green is the frontrunner to be promoted from his current role as assistant coach into heading up the Knights organisation.
He played 270 first-grade games across nine clubs, and has quickly ascended through the coaching ranks after hanging up the boots at the end of the 2021 season.
Newcastle powerbrokers have had the opportunity to assess the 38-year-old's coaching chops up close in recent seasons.
It's been widely reported that Green has struck up a great relationship with many of the Knights senior players, including superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga.
The major knocks against Green are that he is relatively inexperienced in the coaching arena, and also that he's been in-charge of an attack that ranks 17th for total points scored this season.
Willie Peters
Willie Peters has been one of the hottest names being thrown in the ring during this year's hiring cycle.
Currently coaching the Hull Kingston Rovers Super League side, Peters earned the competitions coach of the year award in 2024.
The Rovers have appeared in two Challenge Cup finals, winning one, and a Super League final, all since Peters' appointment as coach.
The 46-year-old has experience in the NRL system, both as a player for his time with the Rabbitohs and Dragons, and his assistant coaching role with Manly.
Peters winning pedigree could be the specific ingredient powerbrokers in the Hunter are looking for considering O'Brien has been good enough to qualify for the finals in four of his six campaigns, but couldn't get his side playing deep into September.
Justin Holbrook
Justin Holbrook is the wildcard in this equation.
Having recently been shown the door by the Titans, critics may question the logic behind recycling a coach that's already washed-out of the NRL.
However, when put under the microscope, Holbrook's tenure on the Gold Coast has aged decently well, with the Titans now bottoming out at 17th position on the ladder just four-years after he got them into the top-eight.
Like Peters, Holbrook also has runs on the board overseas, leading St. Helens to their 14th championship win in 2019.
If Holbrook has learned from his time on the Gold Coast, and rectified his issues closing-out games, he could be a slam-dunk replacement for Adam O'Brien in 2026.