Castleford Tigers owner Martin Jepson has confirmed the club are now looking for a new coach following Ryan Carr’s departure and urged fans to “draw a line” under the turbulent past two weeks.

Tigers today (Friday) released a statement confirming Carr has left the club less than a full season into his three-year contract. He had been absent for the past fortnight for what Tigers say are “personal reasons”. There has been no comment on reports he had been suspended.

Today’s initial release came minutes after director of rugby Chris Chester took the club’s weekly preview press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game at St Helens. Though it said there would be “no further comment on this matter”, a statement from Jepson was issued soon afterwards.

Castleford owner Martin Jepson. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

In it, he insisted he and the board share fans’ frustrations at recent events and claimed he is “sorry that Ryan Carr has left the club”. He added the board have had a “difficult set of circumstances to deal with” and stressed “our actions have been, and always will be, in the best interests of the club”.

Chester last week said Tigers were not actively looking for a new team boss, but that has now changed. One of the early favourites is likely to be ex-Huddersfield Giants chief Luke Robinson who has joined the staff as an assistant-coach.

Jepson acknowledged fans have been upset at a lack of clarity from the club over Carr’s situation, admitting: “It has been frustrating to listen to media hysteria without being able to comment, but we have had to do the right thing by the club.”

Jepson said: “I would assure our fanbase that there is no turmoil or disharmony amongst the board and the club is in a good place as we plan for our centenary and continue to build for 2027. Unfortunately, in all walks of life there are unforeseen events, but we have some experienced people working alongside me and helping steer the club.

Former Huddersfield Giants boss Luke Robinson has joined Castleford Tigers as an assistant-coach. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

“Their support over the last few weeks has been invaluable. We will start the search for a new head-coach immediately, but I am delighted to welcome Luke Robinson as an assistant-coach with immediate effect, whilst Jason Netherton has agreed to assist the coaching team for the rest of the season.”

Jepson declined to rule out more signings for the 2027 season and said he and Chester spoke yesterday to overseas recruits Damien Cook, Mat Feagai and Tyrell Sloan, who were all coached by Carr at NRL outfit St George-Illawarra Dragons. He said the trio are all “finalising their moves and looking forward to joining the club”.

Jepson pledged: “I remain very positive about the future as we prepare to enter our second century. I have always tried to be available to our fanbase to answer questions and address any concerns. To that end, I will be holding a fans forum in the fanzone on the evening of August 27. Let’s draw a line on the last few weeks and come together to celebrate our history. I know we are well positioned for 2027 and beyond.”