JOHN CARTWRIGHT says an extension to his Catalans Dragons contract should be announced imminently.
The Australian has committed to stay as head coach beyond the end of the short-term deal he signed in May.
After winning three of his first four matches in charge, Catalans have lost four in succession, most recently a 34-18 loss at depleted St Helens on Friday.
They head to French rivals Toulouse Olympique, who thrashed the Dragons 60-18 in Castres over Magic Weekend at the start of the month, next Saturday.
Following the Saints game, former Gold Coast Titans and Hull FC boss Cartwright said: “We’ve had some really good discussions and I’m sort of committed for the next couple of years.
“There’ll be some sort of announcement, I imagine, over the next coming days – unless they saw what happened today and changed their mind.”
Cartwright has already had significant influence on Catalans’ recruitment for 2027.
Their two confirmed signings so far – outside back Jesse Arthars and halfback Tyson Gamble – both worked with Cartwright when the 60-year-old was an assistant coach at Brisbane Broncos.
Cartwright also admitted after the Saints defeat – in his which his son Jed scored a try – that he was keen to bring Amir Bourouh to Perpignan next season from Hull, where he departed in acrimonious circumstances in April.
The hooker would be a direct squad replacement for Alrix Da Costa, who is believed to be moving in the other direction to the MKM Stadium, but is under contract for another year.
“I’ve been in contact with Amir and I like what he brings,” said Cartwright.
Hull are said to want centre Solomona Faataape, who has been one of Catalans’ best performers this season, in exchange.
The Dragons’ hopes of making the play-offs now appear to be over, to the clear frustration of Cartwright.
“The club are making heavy moves in the recruitment market, we have a great facility down there in France and we have a good fanbase,” he said.
“The tools are there and it’s just disappointing. I don’t have any answer for our fans and our staff when things like this happen continually.
“It’s really, really, really disappointing. On four occasions since I’ve been here we’ve given up three tries in a ten-minute period and you’ve got to start looking at where we are as a group.
“You can’t be doing that, it’s attitude. It’s a will and a want to get through some tough periods and it’s been there for the majority of the year and it needs to be addressed and the only way to do it is to be honest.”