Sharks superstar Nicho Hynes has declared he wants a 20 year contract with the Cronulla club, revealing his aspirations to be a coach after his playing days are over.
The 26-year-old originally signed a three-year deal reportedly worth $600,000 per-season to make the move from the Storm and is free to negotiate with rivals come November 1.
After winning the Dally M Medal in 2022, his value has skyrocketed and Fox League’s James Hooper revealed Cronulla bosses have begun negotiating with the gun halfback.
Speaking on SEN, Hynes made it clear he wants to finish his career with the Sharks before taking up a coaching role.
“There’s been talks, everyone’s talking about it a little bit,” Hynes told SEN 1170.
“I just hope something happens and gets done, my manager will sort that out and the club will sort that out, so hopefully they’re talking as we speak because I’d love to stay... then hopefully I’m here forever.
“Ideally I’d love to be here for the rest of my career then I’d like to go straight into coaching... give me a 20-year contract Sharks.”
Post-football Hynes also explained that he has “always wanted” to transition into coaching and believes the ambition stems from his love of “helping people”.
“Yeah I do (have ambitions to be a coach), big time, I’ve always said I wanted to be a coach, I just love it,” Hynes added.
“I love helping people out, I love helping young kids realise their dreams.
“So hopefully one day I can be a coach to hand a debut jersey, that’s the ultimate (dream) for me, I’d love to do that.
“I’ve always told Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon) that and every time he makes a stressful call he looks at me and say, ‘Do you still want to be a coach?’.
“But obviously you have to start somewhere and I could be a development coach, then into an assistant, then one day work my trade and become a head coach, that would be nice.
“I know I have to start somewhere and if I could an assistant at NRL level our a development coach, I’d be happy to do that but coaching is for me.”
According to Hooper, Hynes’ next contract will likely see his stay extend to the end of 2028.
The gun halfback also made his first appearance of the season against the Dragons in Round 4, finishing the game with seven line breaks and four try assists.
