Craig Bellamy makes call on coaching future as bombshell Titans detail comes to light
Craig Bellamy has confirmed he will remain as the Storm head coach for another season, foregoing the temptation of heading north to take up a job at the Titans, at least for now.
The 65-year-old had an option in his contract to remain in charge of the premiership favourites in 2026, with Melbourne understandably keen for the seven-time Dally M Coach of the Year to remain at the helm.
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And on Thursday it was confirmed he will stay in charge for at least the 2026 season.
'Bellamy will enter his 24th consecutive year in charge, having coached 588 games and taken Storm to 21 finals series, five Grand Final wins and six Minor Premierships,' the Storm said in a statement on Thursday.
'The 2026 season will be Bellamy's fifth year of his coaching contract signed in May 2022.'
Bellamy said he is excited for another year in charge of the Storm.
Bellamy said in a statement: 'I've always said that I will only keep coaching if the players, coaches and club believe that I still have something to offer.
'As mentioned last season, my focus remains on developing our players and helping them learn and grow together as a team.
'Our squad is in a stable position and I'm looking forward to the improvement we can continue to make.
'I also want to ensure by making this decision that I'm not holding back any of our coaches, who continue to play a massive role in the improvement of this team. We have a great coaching group, who are very capable of stepping up and coaching at senior level.'
Bellamy has helped turn the Storm into one of the biggest sporting franchises in Australia since he arrived in 2003, but according to Code Sports, 2026 will likely be his final year in charge of Melbourne.
Code Sports reports that in 2027 Bellamy will either take a reduced role at the club, with his long-time assistant coaches Aaron Bellamy, Marc Brentnall or Storm player Ryan Hinchcliffe, likely to take the reins at the end of next season, or move to the Gold Coast.
Earlier this year Bellamy told news.com.au that he would love his son Aaron to get the nod but any of his three assistant coaches would do a great job.
'I think any of our three assistant coaches, Aaron, Marc Brentnall and Ryan (Hinchcliffe), I think they're all capable of being first-grade coaches in the future and I'd love to see Aaron do that of course,' Bellamy told news.com.au.
'But I'd also love to see Marc and Hinch get a go to whether that is taking over from me or at another club.
'They're all very capable coaches and more importantly good people.'
Craig Bellamy linked with Titans and Broncos
Come the end of next year, Bellamy is expected to be courted by both the Broncos and Gold Coast Titans if their on-field struggles continue.
The Storm coach is understood to be looking to move to the Gold Coast once he leaves the Melbourne job, and that has put the Titans in particular on red alert.
Titans head coach Des Hasler has a contract until the end of next year, but the final year of his deal is only guaranteed if the Gold Coast qualify for the finals, which looks incredibly unlikely.
And according to Code, there has been speculation that a party acting on behalf of the Titans has already been in contact with the Bellamy camp to see if he would be interested in the job should it become available.
While if Michael Maguire continues to struggle at the Broncos, it would be no surprise to see them suss out Bellamy as a potential target as well.
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