Canberra Raiders coach David Furner sacked after mutiny from the senior player group
DAVID Furner has been sacked as Raiders coach after the club's board held a crisis meeting on Tuesday.
Relations between the coach and leading players at the club, including much of the senior leader group, have deteriorated in recent weeks, coming to a head following the Raiders' disappointing loss to Canterbury on Saturday afternoon.
It is understood the players held a private meeting on Monday night where it was decided they could no longer work with Furner.
It was the second gathering of players in days.
The first came following the Canterbury loss when Furner heard whispers there was dissatisfaction among the playing group.
He called a meeting and asked players to air their grievances but, despite concerns they could no longer work with the coach, no complaints were made.
Furner then organised a short stay away for the players and himself in a bid to rebuild relations.
Ironically, Furner was on Tuesday away with the players in Bateman’s Bay as the board met over his future.
Furner phoned The Daily Telegraph not long after he was told by his brother, CEO Don Furner, that his services were no longer required.
He finishes immediately and will not coach the Raiders side this weekend.
Furner said he was shattered by the decision and the fact he has become the first coach in Raiders history to be sacked.
"It's obviously a results driven game and we have lost our last three game," he said.
"It's still terribly disappointing after all the work I've point in."
Furner said his unwaivering support for centre Blake Ferguson could have contributed to the board's decision.
The crisis board meeting came after a second players meeting on Monday night, involving nine senior players, was organised by the leader group.
It is understood they told the board on Tuesday they were struggling to work with the coach, prompting the board meeting.
Furner is the first coach in Canberra's history to be sacked mid-contract..