John Cartwright has emerged as one of several names being examined by the Huddersfield Giants as they search for a permanent successor to former boss Luke Robinson. Robinson’s tenure came to an abrupt end at the Accu Stadium in late March after the team suffered five straight defeats in the Super League, prompting the club to part ways with him. In the wake of Robinson’s departure, interim coach Liam Finn stepped in to steer the side and has also thrown his hat into the ring for the full‑time role. Yet, according to Huddersfield’s director of rugby Andy Kelly, the shortlist extends beyond Finn and includes the experienced former Hull FC head coach John Cartwright, who recently stepped down after his contract was not renewed at the end of the season.
During a conversation on The Bench podcast with hosts Jenna and Jon, Kelly explained the breadth of the search. “We’ve been looking at a long list of candidates – probably obsessively so,” he said. “The list has been trimmed down considerably, and there are a few individuals we’re particularly keen on.” He added that he has been heavily involved in the background research, assessing which coach would best fit the club’s vision and then presenting those findings to the board of directors. When pressed about Cartwright’s candidacy, Kelly noted, “He may not even be actively considering his next role at the moment.
He’s been linked to every opening that’s come up. I imagine John is currently sipping his coffee, taking a breath, and perhaps not even thinking about his next job.” Kelly continued, “Cartwright is a high‑profile coach. We’ll conduct thorough due‑diligence and background checks. We can’t simply dismiss someone who might be available, just as we can’t ignore a candidate who is genuinely interested.” The Giants are currently languishing near the bottom of the Super League table, sitting third from last after securing only two wins from eight matches.
Their recent 56‑22 home loss to Leeds Rhinos underscored the urgency of finding a leader who can reverse the club’s fortunes. Kelly stressed that the recruitment process is being handled with care, emphasizing the need for a coach who possesses a clear, long‑term vision. “I’m looking for a coach who can articulate where he wants the team to be in the next two to four years, someone who understands our present situation and the club’s role within the community and the wider game,” Kelly explained.
He reflected on the club’s storied past, saying, “We were part of the very origins of rugby league in Huddersfield, but we can’t rely on that heritage forever. We need to understand where we are now before we can chart a future path.” Technical expertise and tactical acumen are, of course, essential, but Kelly highlighted that managerial skills are equally important.
“A coach must have a deep understanding of the game’s nuances, but he also needs to be capable of managing a squad, handling personalities, and fostering a winning culture,” he said. “This is a defining moment for the club – a chance to reshape what we can achieve moving forward. The appointment of a head coach carries massive responsibility for everyone involved.” Rather than issuing a formal application process, the Giants opted to request expressions of interest.
Kelly clarified that this approach is a two‑way street: “It allows us to approach coaches who might not have considered us a viable option and see if they are interested in what we have to offer.” This strategy, however, has extended the timeline because the club wants any prospective coach to be comfortable with the player recruitment plan that is already in motion. “The coach will have a say in the players we bring in, so we need to ensure alignment between the coaching philosophy and our recruitment strategy,” Kelly noted. He admitted that this alignment has caused some delays: “It’s slowed the process a bit because we want to be certain the coach we appoint is happy with the talent we’re targeting.” He added that the final announcement will only be made once a suitable candidate is confirmed, emphasizing that premature speculation could be misleading.
Kelly also warned that they might approach a coach who ultimately declines the offer, so it would be premature to name any individuals at this stage. “It would be wrong to put names out there before we know their interest and availability,” he said. The club’s fans can look forward to every Super League match being broadcast live on Sky Sports this season, with two fixtures each round shown exclusively live and the remaining five matches streamed throughout the week.
As the Giants continue their search for a permanent head coach, the hope is that a decisive appointment will bring stability, a clear strategic direction, and ultimately, a return to competitive form for the historic Huddersfield side.