HULL KR chief executive Mike Smith admits he feels sorry for coach Craig Sandercock, but insists he will update him as and when he can about his future.
Sandercock's two-year contract is up at the end of the season and Smith says the decision on his future is being dragged out by uncertainty surrounding the club behind the scenes.
But with new investors close to being secured, a decision one way or the other over Sandercock's future is expected soon.
"I feel sorry for Craig," Smith told HullKR.TV.
"At this moment I'm hopeful chairman Neil Hudgell and vice-chairman Rob Crossland will still be running this club at the start of next season.
"I don't know if that will be the case because new owners or investors may have their own say on that.
"They might set a budget that Craig won't want to work with. It's tough to give any definites as to where we are and that's the same with the players.
"We don't know right now what the outcome will be. As soon as we do, I'll let Craig know because I speak to him and update him every day as to where we are.
"Craig will need to make a decision if he's offered a contract and if he wants to take it.
"We don't know when that will be."
Smith admits the uncertainty is also having an impact on player retention too.
Second rower Cory Paterson has revealed a clause in his contract that makes him a free agent if Sandercock is no longer Rovers coach.
Smith wants things to be resolved as soon as possible so he can tell the players who are also out of contract at the end of the season, including leading prop Mickey Paea.
"I've met with every single player off contract," Smith said.
"It's only fair to tell them where the club is at at this moment in time.
"Every single one of them was more concerned about the club than they were about their own personal circumstances.
"They all want to know that Hull KR will be here next year competing.
"Yes we can be competing but we want to be competing for the top four or six, not just competing to make the top eight.
"That's the difference.
"Neil and Rob have made it clear they don't want to see a mediocre team and the players feel the same way.
"They have listened to me and I have listened to them and if one of them comes up with an offer then we will look at it.
"Every one of the players said they would come back and speak to me personally and we'll look at those offers at that time."
