Gold Coast’s season is threatening to spiral down the drain for the second straight year under Des Hasler's watch.
The Titans got off to a horror start during his first term in charge on the Glitter Strip last year as they lost their first six games on the bounce.
Hasler was given some leniency for the poor results after being parachuted in to try and turn the consistently underperforming club around when Justin Holbrook was ruthlessly axed mid-way through the previous campaign.
However, the knives are already out for the veteran coach with the Titans in the grips of another dire run, which has seen the team lose five matches in a row.
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Kevin Walters responds to Titans links amid Des Hasler's struggles
Gold Coast have been plagued by injuries with Keano Kini and Kieran Foran missing from their spine for either the entirety or the vast majority of the season so far.
Jayden Campbell then joined the duo in the casualty ward after a bright start to life in the No.7 jersey.
Rumours of discontent have also swirled around Titans headquarters, with David Fifita dropped from the side ahead of Magic Round.
The star backrower’s demotion came off the back of a quiet and injury-interrupted start to the campaign.
All of this drama inevitably kicked up a notch when questions started to emerge about the future of Hasler.
The head coach’s short tenure has been firmly placed under the blowtorch after he has struggled to get the best out of a talented crop of players, while potential clauses in his contract have come to light.
It has been reported that the Titans could cut ties with Hasler if the side continues to struggle at the wrong end of the ladder.
It didn’t take long, of course, for Kevin Walters to then be linked to the job.
Yet the former Brisbane mentor has moved to hose down the speculation while also reiterating his desire to return to the hot seat somewhere in the NRL at some point.
"I’ve always said that I want to coach again at some stage, but I think it’s a bit disrespectful to Des and the Titans," Walters said on Fox League.
"Sure, some things haven’t quite gone right for them this year, but I’m sure Des can turn it around.
"As for those clauses, I read about them today in the paper like everyone else. I’m unaware of any situation there.
"Do I want to coach again? Yes, I’ve said so openly lots of times. But when the time is right and when the team is right."
Walters was in a similar position late last year at Red Hill as the Broncos plunged into disarray.
The 2023 grand finalists endured a rotten season with the club eventually cutting ties with the legendary figure to bring in Michael Maguire.
"I feel right now it’s a bit disrespectful to be speaking about it," Walters stressed.
"I’ve walked in Des' shoes as a coach and I feel like Des more than anyone needs to be given the respect he deserves. He needs to be given time.
"He’s only 12 months into the job," Walters added.
"I feel like we’re pulling the trigger very early. Well, not 'we' but people in the game. They’re pulling the trigger pretty early on him."