Can you smell what the Wok is
cooking?

Premiership-winning coach Warren Ryan was today appointed as the Coaching Director of the Central Coast Bears franchise as the John Singleton backed consortium steps up it's bid for inclusion to the 2006 NRL Season.

The Bears are one of three bidders for a possible berth in the NRL, along with groups from Wellington and the Gold Coast.

Russell Tate, chairman of the Bears, announced Ryan to the position, stating he will be responsible for appointing coaching and playing staff during the club's foundation years. Tate has also announced the appointment of TAB Limited CEO Warren Wilson as president of the Bears.

The move is an interesting one, and one which could make or break the club in it's foetal stages. Ryan, former Canterbury, Balmain, Western Suburbs and Newcastle coach, has had a falling out at every post he's held. And although he can have tremendous on-field success, it can also often lead to player revolt and splintering within the club.

Ryan has had a number of public spats towards the backend of his coaching career, namely the dispute with Matthew Johns which ultimately lead to him leaving Newcastle, and a very public punch-on with veteran journalist Roy Masters at the back of Newcastle Stadium in 2000.

More recently he has concentrated on his radio commitments with ABC Radio, where he provides insightful, and at times witty, remarks on the game at large.