Apologetic Sharks welcome back sacked quartet to the fold Former Brisbane CEO Bruno Cullen has ended his short tenure with Cronulla Source: News Limited CRONULLA caretaker chief executive Bruno Cullen has quit in light of the club's decision to apologise to the four staff it sacked over the ASADA investigation. Cullen informed NRL chief executive Dave Smith and Sharks chairman Damien Keogh of his decision today before informing staff of his intentions via an email. He will return to Sydney from Brisbane tomorrow to tidy up some loose ends at the club. Cullen was disappointed at the move to reinstate head trainer Mark Noakes and apologise to football manager Darren Mooney, doctor Dave Givney and physiotherapist Konrad Schultz who were all sacked for concealing doping offences at the club in 2011. Noakes and Mooney, as well as doctor Dave Givney and physiotherapist Konrad Schultz, were all shown the door by the previous board following an independent report by former judge Tricia Kavanagh into the club's operations. However, the new board conducted a review of the decisions made by their predecessors and reached today's decisions, which they say are in the best interests of the club. "We publicly retract statements made by the club which may have caused damage to the reputations of Dr David Givney, Konrad Schultz, Mark Noakes and Darren Mooney," the statement said. We further offer a full apology to each of the four staff for any damage done to their reputations, for the effect that this process has had upon them and their families over the past three months. Dr Givney, Mr Schultz, Mr Noakes and Mr Mooney have provided years of loyal service to the Sharks club and players. For operational reasons the contracted positions for club doctor and physiotherapist have been taken up and so are not presently available for the balance of this season, but each of Dr Givney and Mr Schultz are invited to reapply for these positions when they open up again. The club has reached a settlement with Dr Givney and Mr Schultz, the terms of which are confidential. We are pleased to bring back within the club's operations trainer Mark Noakes who will commence back with the team immediately. Given the changes that have taken place in structure at the club over the past four months we are in discussion with Mr Mooney about a possible return to the Cronulla Sharks. The decision is likely to have significant ramifications, not least with the NRL. Chairman Damien Keogh has been in ongoing discussions with NRL chief executive Dave Smith in recent weeks, so today's decision would not have come as a surprise. Nevertheless, the Sharks are taking a risk given they are likely to be heavily reliant on the NRL for financial support in coming months. "Over the past three months since being elected, the new board of the Cronulla Sharks has begun to address numerous corporate governance issues relating to the management of the club moving forward," the statement said. With the assistance of the NRL, Bruno Cullen has come on board as an experienced and vitally needed interim CEO. Under him a new senior executive team has been put in place including Steve Noyce as General Manager of Football Operations. In close consultation with management the board have embarked upon the drafting and implementation of a board charter to assign responsibilities to the board and management for leadership, strategy and direction, compliance, accountability, performance and governance. When elected the Sharks board was given a clear mandate from the club members to conduct a review of previous decisions made by the club surrounding the dismissal of four staff members. That review has been conducted with a thorough assessment of circumstances surrounding termination and legal review, including information which was not before the previous board. There is a Government investigation taking place at present relating to alleged activities at the Club in 2011. That investigation is continuing. It must be made abundantly clear that the review undertaken by the club has nothing to do with that investigation. The Sharks have at all times co-operated with that investigation and will continue to do so. On conclusion of the review the board has determined that the actions which we have taken in respect of these staff are in the best interests of the club and we believe we have the support of our members in doing so. The staff in question categorically deny any circumstances of wrong doing on their part or to their knowledge.