Gold Coast mentor John Cartwright has criticised the Sydney Roosters over their handling of coach Brad Fittler's sacking.

Cartwright, an assistant coach at the Roosters from 2003-05 and close friend of Fittler's, said his axing "could have been handled a lot better".

News that Fittler would be replaced by Newcastle's Brian Smith after this NRL season was leaked late on Saturday, a day before the Roosters' 30-24 loss to the Warriors at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The club had agreed with Fittler to keep the deal secret until after the Warriors game.

"Freddy (Fittler) would be hurting the way it was leaked," Cartwright said on Monday.

"It's unfortunate but we don't seem to learn - these things keep happening.

"There was a leak in the camp and I just know Freddy would have been hurt by the way it was handled.

"Freddy's a good friend and I know he'd be hurting, I don't think he deserved the treatment that he got.

"I think he'd be the first to admit that if they were going to bring another coach in, he was fine with that, but it's the way you handle it and it probably wasn't handled the best."

Fittler, who complained he never felt he had the autonomy required to be in charge at the club, has ruled out any involvement with the Roosters next season.

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