Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers coaches, shocked by Paul Rowley's St Helens exit
West Yorkshire Super League coaches have expressed their sympathy for Paul Rowley following his sudden exit from St Helens.
Saints issued a press release today (Thursday) revealing the former Leigh, Toronto Wolfpack and Salford Red Devils boss had “stepped down with immediate effect” from his role as coach. He was just nine months into a three-year contract.
The Merseyside outfit are sixth in Betfred Super League, two points clear of Hull KR who have a game in hand. His former assistant Eamon O’Carroll, a former Bradford Bulls coach, will take over on an interim basis.
Speaking at his weekly press conference today, to preview Sunday’s home derby against Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos chief Brad Arthur reflected: “It’s a ruthless sport.
“I just hope he is all right and his family is okay. I have been through that process before, but I don’t know much about it.”
Wakefield Trinity’s Daryl Powell admitted: “I am surprised. Obviously they have had a lot of injuries, there’s been a lot of conjecture there and they lost a game pretty heavily a couple of weeks back [46-0 at home to Toulouse Olympique] which was damaging.
“I have been there myself, I know what it’s like. It is tough on coaches when this happens, there’s a whole lot of other people involved, but one person cops the fall and that’s tough. I feel for Paul, it’s tough circumstances and I hope he’s all right.”
Powell conceded “I don’t know” why anyone would want to be a coach. He said: “I’ve enjoyed it in my time, but it is challenging as well. It’s one of those jobs that never goes away. Paul will have been thinking about it non-stop and sometimes you can’t come up with the answers, for whatever reason, or circumstances beyond your control make it difficult.
“There’s a lot of things go into it and sometimes I wonder why people want to do it, but I’ve done it for long enough now to not be able to answer that question.”
Ryan Carr, who is in his first season as coach of Castleford Tigers, admitted the news “caught me right off guard”. He said: “I wouldn’t have seen that coming. I feel for coaches [in that situation].
“As one myself I know how hard it is so I feel for anyone who is going through that. There’s obviously something going on within their four walls that’s none of my business, but I hope he is doing all right.”
In Saints’ statement, chairman Eamonn McManus said: “I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our head-coach. He will always be warmly welcomed at the club.
“The decision was an extremely difficult one for all concerned and we fully recognise the extra challenges that Paul faced with us this particular season. We as a club must now look forward and do all within our powers to preserve our position as the most successful club in the history of Super League and to restore our position as a silverware contender going forward.”