The Newcastle Knights have confirmed that Adam O’Brien will leave his role as NRL Head Coach at the conclusion of the 2025 season, following a mutual agreement with the club.
In a statement posted to social media on Thursday, the Knights revealed that O’Brien had been released from the final two years of his contract. It has been reported he could receive up to a $500,000 payout for departing ahead of the original deal’s expiry.
O’Brien, 47, joined Newcastle in 2020 after working as an assistant coach under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and Trent Robinson at the Sydney Roosters. Across six seasons in charge, he has overseen 142 matches for the Knights, winning 62 and losing 78.
His tenure has included back-to-back finals appearances in 2020 and 2021, as well as guiding the side to an elimination final win over the Raiders in 2023. However, inconsistency has remained a challenge for the club, and speculation about his long-term future has persisted in recent seasons.
The Knights are expected to begin the process of identifying a new head coach to take charge from 2026, with the club stating its gratitude for O’Brien’s service during a transitional period.
“The nib Newcastle Knights and Adam O’Brien have agreed to terms on a mutual separation, releasing the NRL Head Coach from the remaining two years of his employment contract with the Club at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Thanks for everything, Adam ⚔️”
O’Brien departs as the second longest-serving Newcastle coach of the NRL era behind Michael Hagan (155 games between 2001 and 2006).
