Returning old-fashioned pride and commitment to the jumper will be the cornerstone of Shane Flanagan's coaching philosophy as he embarks on the NRL's toughest gig - plotting Cronulla's path to a maiden premiership.
The low profile Flanagan became the 16th coach in the Sharks' 43-year history on Tuesday when Ricky Stuart abruptly tendered his resignation sevens weeks before he was officially due to depart.
Flanagan's first priority will be to end a miserable campaign on a high note to give him something to build on in 2011 - a task that begins against the Raiders at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
Cronulla has won just five games from 17 starts this year, with last Saturday night's embarrassing 48-18 loss to Manly the final straw for Stuart.
"Pride and commitment. I'll be asking the players to get some pride back into that jersey and perform like the old Cronulla did," Flanagan said when asked what his first message to the players will be.
"I've got to make sure I do a good job here over the next two years and get some pride back into the jersey."
"I don't go into (the history). This is all about my time now and I can't change anything that's gone on prior to me."
"We're a side that's down the bottom but I see some positives."
Flanagan will now step up his recruitment drive for next year, with outside backs at the top of the Sharks' shopping list.
The club will spend up to the salary cap, with the in-coming Cronulla boss insisting the club is not regarded as a no-go zone following two poor seasons.
"From all reports and talking to managers, there's not an issue about players coming to this club," Flanagan said.
"We've had some offers out there and hopefully it's one of each (back and forward)."
"I'm more than confident we'll be more than competitive next year."
Cronulla chairman Damian Irvine, who never saw eye to eye with Stuart, welcomed the changing of the guard and a new era at the club.
"When a club's been through what we have the last three years, sometimes change is what can turn the tide," he declared.
"I'm very confident it's the start of good things."
He said of Flanagan: "He's the right man for the job."
"We had a very clear picture on what we required in a Cronulla coach and that is a coach that is here to forge his own reputation and build with the club and the young players coming through and really prove himself."
"We had the best one sitting on our doorstep. He knows the club, he knows the players."