Ex-Castleford Tigers coach Craig Lingard leaves role at Championship club
Former Castleford Tigers coach Craig Lingard has left his role as coach of Sheffield Eagles.
Lingard, 48, took charge of Tigers ahead of the 2024 campaign, after previously being a part-time assistant-coach there, but was axed following just one season at the helm. The former Batley Bulldogs player and team boss joined Sheffield in December, 2024.
A statement on the Betfred Championship club’s website said: “Following a meeting held earlier today [Thursday] with Craig, it was decided that it would be best for Craig to move on and for the club to take a new direction for its men’s head coach.
“With significant changes ahead for the Championship next season, including the introduction of a new salary cap and a new league structure, the club believes that this is the right time to make changes as we look to build for the future and prepare for the next chapter of Sheffield Eagles and address the financial sustainability measures being introduced at this level of the game.”
Eagles finished 11th last year and seventh this term, qualifying for the play-offs for the first time since 2023. The statement added: “We would like to place on record our thanks to Craig Lingard for his contributions and efforts across the past two seasons and we wish him all the very best for the future.
“Craig came to Sheffield Eagles in very difficult and unusual circumstances and dealt with those circumstances very professionally and much to his credit. The club will provide a further update in due course in respect of coaching appointments ahead of the 2027 Championship season.”