Newcastle coach Nathan Brown is unconcerned about his future and has made it clear he has no issues with his new performance-based contract with the Knights.
Brown, who took the coaching reins in Newcastle three years ago, has re-signed with the Hunter-based club on a unique deal with no fixed term. In an NRL first, the deal is open-ended and performance-based.
The former Dragons hooker believes the principles of his new contract have not really changed.
"I'm really happy with it, because I know where I stand," Brown said.
"If it doesn't unfold at some stage, I know what's going to happen and we all move on - that's the life of coaching.
"Look at poor old Des Hasler last year, in my opinion one of the great coaches of the past decade. Signed a new contract and a few months later we were told he wasn't coaching anymore. So I don't think just having a contract as a coach means much anyway.
Knights v Storm - Round 15
"If things are not going well, you are going to get a tap on the shoulder anyway, so it's just not written down in (this) contract anywhere."
While Brown would not elaborate on the finer details of his new deal, he did reveal that there was no specific conditions about capturing a premiership.
And while winning a grand final is the pinnacle for every player and coach, Brown remains focused on improving the Knights and moulding them into a perennial top four side.
"It's certainly about continuing to grow and improve," the 44-year-old said.
"Wayne (Bennett) said when he departed it would take five years to turn the club around, and we are at year three at the moment. As long as we keep progressing, we are getting where we want to get to."
One of the advantages of Brown's new contract is that it allows him to build consistency. With no set tenure at the club, the pressure to deliver in a certain time-frame is not as intense.
Brown says he is starting to see the benefits of players on long-term deals in key positions.
"What we have got is that we will come in with the same hooker, same fullback and same halfback - that's the first time since I've been at the club," Brown said.
"When I first came to the club, I knew how hard year one was going to be. Those in charge were prepared to take time because they did not want someone to come in and make short-term decisions.
"They could have turfed me out any time if they wanted to, and people probably would have said 'fair enough', but I am grateful for the support I have been given. There is not a day I don't enjoy coming to work."
