KEIRON Cunningham has expressed his happiness at signing a new deal at the Saints.
The head coach and club legend penned a contract until the end of 2018.
“The club initially gave me a two-year contract and I suppose it was a trial period to see how I bedded in,” he said. “A lot of people think I got the shot because of my playing career – and yes, I’m sure it helped – but I work really hard off the field to improve as do all the coaches here to prepare the team the best we can.
“The contract extension rewards that effort and gives me stability and time to work with the team. It’s a case of not just trying to fix things but developing for the future. Now we can look forward.
“At the end of the year everyone dwells and thinks about what ifs. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It’s how to stop those what ifs as a coach. We were close and a kick away from the Grand Final last year but that is sport and we have to move on.
“We have recruited well and the players we have brought in are versatile. We are well covered should we get injuries… and history shows we will do.”
He continued: “Of course there is pressure on me to succeed – as a player it was no different too. I feel I have to win a trophy every year. Saints before the Super League era wanted to be there or thereabouts but now there is an expectation. It is a business too; as a coach I have to understand that when we do well the club does well too.
“You have to get used to the highs and lows and that expectation. No team can be on the top of their game for all the rounds of this comp.
“It’s managing those low points and I feel as a squad and coaching staff we are well equipped to do that.”
