Hull FC’s chief executive, Richie Myler, has publicly defended the club’s handling of the departure of head coach John Cartwright, following the announcement that Steve McNamara will assume the role in 2027. Myler’s statements aim to clarify the timeline, the communication process, and the strategic reasoning behind the shift, while also addressing the emotions that have surfaced among fans and players. Cartwright originally signed a three‑year contract that was set to run through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season.
However, the club later informed the Australian coach that his agreement would be terminated a year early, at the end of the 2026 campaign. The preferred scenario, according to Hull’s leadership, was for Cartwright to finish the current season before handing the reins over to McNamara, a hometown figure who would take charge starting in 2027. The club announced on 7 April that Cartwright would leave at the end of the Betfred Super League season. Six days later, the coach held an emotional press conference in which he said he felt “betrayed” and “disrespected,” insisting he had not been given a clear explanation for the decision.
The following week, Cartwright oversaw Hull FC’s match against Hull KR, a 24‑14 defeat at home to St Helens, before exiting the field to a standing ovation. Players followed him down the tunnel, a scene that blended solidarity with a poignant farewell.
Shortly after that game, Hull confirmed that Cartwright would no longer serve as head coach, though he would remain employed by the club in a different capacity. The organization then officially named Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor. Myler emphasized that his goal was to provide supporters with “clarity” and refuted rumors that Cartwright had been informed of his dismissal via email.
According to Myler, the narrative that the coach was notified by electronic message is “not strictly true.” He pointed to a brief, face‑to‑face conversation that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby. “John and I spoke for about ten minutes in his office about the upcoming derby,” Myler recalled. “My understanding of that conversation was clear, but John remembers it slightly differently, and that discrepancy has fueled the subsequent controversy.” Myler explained that the meeting’s purpose was to convey that, from 2027 onward, the club intended to move in a different direction.
He stressed that Cartwright still had the full backing of the board for the 2026 season and that the club wanted him to hear the news directly from the executives rather than from speculative media reports that had been circulating for months about a possible replacement. He admitted that perhaps he had not delivered the message as plainly as John needed. After the initial discussion, Myler spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held a longer phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the points and reaffirm the club’s commitment to him through the 2026 season.
Myler noted that part of Cartwright’s contract required a written notice of the decision, and the claim that this notice came via email was inaccurate. When asked about the timing, Myler said Hull could not afford to wait in 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 the progress was very clear.” Myler added that the situation was complicated because McNamara was still under contract with Warrington at the time, and the clubs needed to sort out that arrangement.
He explained that the board was aligned on moving forward once the contractual details were resolved. “I was traveling when John learned the news, and I didn’t tell him about Steve because I didn’t think it was the right moment,” Myler admitted. “He only knew that someone else was being considered.” He highlighted the rapid pace of events, noting that the English coaching market was in flux. Recent moves included Huddersfield’s dismissal of Luke Robinson, Leeds’ ongoing saga with Brad Arthur, and the imminent departure of Willie Peters from Hull KR.
“I saw an opportunity with a coach who was an assistant at Warrington,” Myler explained. “I didn’t want to miss that chance.” Myler warned that if Hull had let the opportunity slip, the club would likely face a very different conversation with its fanbase, which could become “extremely annoyed.” He argued that the swift decision, while affecting Cartwright’s position, was made in good faith and with honesty as the guiding principle. “Given how John responded to the news, we had to act accordingly,” Myler concluded.
The broader context of the Super League coaching carousel underscores how clubs must balance stability with the need to secure talent before rivals do. Hull’s leadership believes that securing McNamara—who demonstrated his capabilities during his tenure at Catalans—positions the club for future success, even if it means a short‑term disruption.
In summary, Richie Myler’s remarks aim to set the record straight: the club communicated the change directly, gave Cartwright a full year of support, and acted swiftly to lock in a coach they view as a perfect fit for Hull FC’s long‑term ambitions. The episode illustrates the delicate nature of coaching transitions in professional sport, where timing, communication, and market dynamics intersect in ways that can provoke strong reactions from all parties involved.