TOUCH DOWN FEW MINUTES AGO: Sydney Roosters General Manager Joe Kelly fires head coach Trent Robinson….

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the rugby league world, Sydney Roosters General Manager Joe Kelly has officially dismissed long-serving head coach Trent Robinson, just minutes after the team touched down in Sydney following their latest away fixture.

The decision, confirmed internally shortly after the team’s arrival, marks the end of one of the most successful coaching eras in the club’s modern history. Robinson, who has been at the helm since 2013, leaves behind a legacy defined by premiership success, consistent finals appearances, and a culture that reshaped the Roosters into a perennial powerhouse.

According to sources close to the club, the move follows mounting pressure after a disappointing run of performances this season, compounded by internal concerns about direction, player development, and long-term strategy. While the Roosters board had publicly backed Robinson in recent weeks, today’s decision suggests behind-the-scenes discussions reached a breaking point.

Joe Kelly is understood to have addressed the playing group privately before the news became public, emphasizing that the decision was “not made lightly” and was based on what the club believes is necessary to remain competitive in the years ahead.

“Trent has given everything to this club,” one senior club figure said. “But sometimes even the strongest partnerships reach a natural end. This was about the future, not the past.”

Players were reportedly stunned by the announcement, with several senior figures believed to have been informed only moments before the official call. Robinson, widely respected across the NRL, is said to have handled the situation with professionalism, thanking staff and players before departing club headquarters.

An interim coach is expected to be announced within the next 24 hours, with assistant staff likely to take charge for the remainder of the season while the Roosters begin a full review of football operations.

As the dust settles, attention now turns to what lies ahead—for both the Roosters and Trent Robinson. While his tenure in Sydney has come to an abrupt end, few doubt that one of the game’s most accomplished coaches will attract immediate interest from rival clubs.

For now, the Roosters face an uncertain chapter, one that began the moment their plane touched down—and ended an era that once defined success in Bondi.