Hull FC’s chief executive, Richie Myler, has stepped forward to clarify the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit, following the announcement that Steve McNamara will assume the top coaching role in 2027. The situation has generated a lot of speculation among supporters and the wider rugby league community, so Myler felt it necessary to provide a clear narrative and address the many rumors that have been circulating. Cartwright originally signed a three‑year contract that was intended to keep him at the helm until the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season.
However, the club later informed the Australian coach that his agreement would be brought forward to finish at the end of the 2026 campaign. The rationale behind this adjustment was that Hull FC wanted Cartwright to finish the current season, after which the club would transition to its long‑term plan with McNamara taking over as head coach of his hometown side in 2027. The club publicly disclosed on 7 April that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season.
Six days later, the coach held a highly emotional press conference in which he said he felt “betrayed” and “disrespected,” insisting that he had not been given a concrete explanation for the decision. The tension was palpable, and the following week Cartwright led Hull FC in a home match against St Helens, which ended in a 24‑14 defeat. After the final whistle, he walked off the field to a standing ovation, and several players followed him down the tunnel, a scene that blended solidarity with a poignant farewell.
Shortly after that game, Hull FC confirmed that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, although he would remain employed by the organization in a different capacity. The club then officially named Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor, cementing the transition plan that had been discussed behind the scenes.
Myler emphasized that his primary aim was to give supporters “clarity” about what was happening and to dispel the claim that Cartwright had been informed of his dismissal via an email. According to Myler, that version of events is “not strictly true.” He explained that the conversation took place face‑to‑face in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby.
"It was a short conversation, no longer than ten minutes," Myler recalled. "My understanding was that the club would move in a different direction from 2027, but that John still had our full support for the 2026 season. The intent was for him to hear it directly from me and the board, not from a newspaper or speculation online." Myler admitted that perhaps he had not communicated the message as clearly as John needed.
He added that after the initial meeting, he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held a one‑hour phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the points and reassure him of the club’s commitment for the remainder of the year. "Part of John’s contract required us to inform him in writing about the decision," Myler noted. "The narrative that we emailed him is inaccurate; we delivered the news in person and then followed up with written confirmation." When asked about the timing of the decision, Myler explained that Hull FC could not afford to delay its move amid a volatile coaching market, especially given McNamara’s availability. "The timing is linked to Steve McNamara," he said.
"Steve and I had several conversations where it became clear that things were progressing quickly. It wasn’t a done deal at first because Steve was still under contract with Warrington, and we had to sort out that situation." Myler described the market dynamics that pressured the club to act swiftly. He pointed to several high‑profile coaching changes: Huddersfield’s dismissal of Luke Robinson, the ongoing saga with Brad Arthur at Leeds, and the most obvious – Willie Peters’ departure from Hull KR.
"I was thinking we needed to act, and I knew there was a promising assistant coach at Warrington. I didn’t want to miss that opportunity," Myler said. "If I had let the chance slip, we would be having a very different conversation now, and our fans would be extremely annoyed." He continued, "The speed of the decision was driven by circumstance. If you look at the English coaching market right now, there are several openings, and we had to position ourselves to secure the talent we believed could take Hull FC forward." Myler also addressed the personal element of the transition.
He admitted that at the time of the meeting with Cartwright, he had not yet told the coach about McNamara because he felt it was not the appropriate moment. "John was only aware that someone else was being considered," Myler said. "When the news finally broke, it happened very quickly, and I know Steve’s strengths and what he can bring to an organization – I witnessed his impact at Catalans." Reflecting on the fallout, Myler said, "The timeline unfortunately affected John’s position, but our intention was always to be honest with him. With the way he has responded to the news, we have had to act accordingly." The broader context of the Super League’s broadcasting arrangements was also mentioned.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every game live this season, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the platform and the remaining five matches also available on Sky Sports. This ensures that fans can follow the league’s developments, including the coaching saga at Hull FC, without missing any action. In summary, Richie Myler’s statements aim to provide a transparent account of why Hull FC chose to end Cartwright’s tenure a year early and appoint Steve McNamara as the future head coach. The club’s leadership argues that the decision was driven by market conditions, strategic planning, and a desire to secure a coach they believe can deliver long‑term success, while also attempting to treat Cartwright with respect and clarity throughout the process.