St George Illawarra Dragons have axed Steve Price with Paul McGregor to take the reins

ST GEORGE Illawarra Dragons have sacked under siege coach Steve Price.

NSW assistant coach Paul McGregor is set to be appointed immediately as the interim St George Illawarra Dragons head coach.

McGregor left the NSW Blues camp, where he is the assistant coach, late on Sunday to return to Sydney.

Price’s sudden departure comes after the famous club has suffered six losses from their past seven matches.

Price is the first coach since David Waite in 2000 at the merged venture club to be shown the door midseason.

“I am grateful for the opportunities that the Dragons have provided me over all my years associated with the Club and would like to thank all involved,” Price said in a statement released by the Dragons.

“I’d like to wish Paul and the playing group all the very best.”

High-profile Dragon Trent Merrin, currently with the NSW camp ahead of Origin I, said he was shocked by Price’s sacking.

FIVE REASONS STEVE PRICE HAD TO GO

“I’m surprised about it all,” Merrin said.

“It’s a shame that it has happened to him. I have been under him since-20s. I’ve had a lot to do with Pricey.

“He is a mate as well as a coach.

“It’s come as a surprise. I think we have to move and we have a job to do for the Dragons.”

The axed Steve Price (left) and the new interim head coach Paul McGregor (right) with new Dragon recruit Benji Marshall.Source: News Corp Australia

In the Dragons’ statment released late on Monday morning, CEO Peter Doust said change was required for the balance of the 2014 season.

“Steve Price has been involved at our club for over 13 years. He is a person of the highest integrity who has contributed enormously to our club in so many ways throughout this time,” Doust said.

“Unfortunately team performance and results have not met the required standards, particularly this season, despite a refresh of performance management strategies and structure, at the end of last year, and a significant change to the playing roster.

“Whilst we can never predict the future, the Board determined that change was required for the balance of the 2014 season.

“The club greatly appreciates and respects the commitment and work ethic that Steve has displayed at all times,” he added.

McGregor indicated that it was a difficult time and situation for everyone at the Dragons.

“The board wanted the change to be as simple as possible for the players and for their sake I agreed,” said McGregor.

“This is a difficult situation for me, Steve Price is a good friend of mine and we have worked closely together and I would have liked us to work through these tough times as one.

“This change will be a new challenge for the players to face but we have a good football team and good group of men”.

McGregor’s first game in charge will against the South Sydney Rabbitohs next Monday night.

Steve Price’s final game as head coach was the Dragons’ 36-0 loss to the Eels in Round 10. Picture Gregg PorteousSource: News Corp Australia

The Dragons were one of the form teams of the competition early in 2014 winning their first three games straight against the Tigers, Warriors and Sharks.

But it proved to be a false dawn with the wheels falling off and Price’s position being called into question over the past two months.

Price’s final game in charge was a 36-0 drubbing at the hands of the Parramatta Eels in Round 10.

Their only victory since their three ina row to start the season being another win over the Warriors by 20-10 in Round 7.

Price’s record has been poor since taking the reins from Wayne Bennett after the 2011 season.

Bennett left having guided the Dragons to the premiership in 2010.

Price has been in charge of the Dragons for a total of 58 games over the past two-and-a-half seasons for 22 wins and 36 losses for win ration of just 37.9 per cent.

Price had been awared with a one-year contract extension during the Anzac Day clash in 2013, on a day they were beaten 34-10 by the Roosters.

On Monday morning he was told that contract would be terminated.