Cronulla Sharks boss Barry Russell says the club needs “one voice” after naming John Morris interim head coach despite the banished Shane Flanagan having until the end of the month to challenge NRL’s decision to expel him.

“We needed the one person in that position, we needed the one voice – we needed a boss,” Russell told NRL.com.

“But the word ‘interim’ is crucial in all this. Until we have some clarity in regards to Shane we can’t make ultimate decisions on the head coach.”

The Sharks had originally named Morris and fellow assistant Jim Dymock as co-interim coaches. Cronulla Sharks boss Barry Russell says the club needs “one voice” after naming John Morris interim head coach despite the banished Shane Flanagan having until the end of the month to challenge NRL’s decision to expel him.

“We needed the one person in that position, we needed the one voice – we needed a boss,” Russell told NRL.com.

“But the word ‘interim’ is crucial in all this. Until we have some clarity in regards to Shane we can’t make ultimate decisions on the head coach.”

The Sharks had originally named Morris and fellow assistant Jim Dymock as co-interim coaches.