John Cartwright has emerged as one of the frontrunners in the Huddersfield Giants' search for a permanent head coach, a position that has been vacant since the club dismissed Luke Robinson at the end of March. Robinson’s departure followed a string of five consecutive defeats in the Super League, prompting the organization to act swiftly in hopes of reversing its fortunes.
In the immediate aftermath, interim boss Liam Finn stepped in to steady the ship and has since put his own name forward for the full‑time job. Yet, according to Andy Kelly, the club’s director of rugby, the shortlist extends beyond Finn and includes a number of experienced candidates, with Cartwright topping the list.
Cartwright, who recently stepped down from his role as head coach of Hull FC after the club announced his departure at the close of the season, is now being closely evaluated for the Huddersfield vacancy. During an appearance on The Bench podcast with presenters Jenna and Jon, Kelly explained the depth and intensity of the scouting process: “We’ve compiled a long list of potential coaches and we’re now narrowing it down.
There are several individuals we are genuinely interested in, and I’m heavily involved in the background research, assessing how each candidate’s philosophy aligns with the direction we want to take.” He emphasized that his role involves not only identifying suitable candidates but also presenting a well‑vetted shortlist to the board of directors for final approval. When asked specifically about Cartwright, Kelly noted that the former Hull FC boss may not even be actively seeking a new appointment at the moment. “He’s probably finishing his coffee and taking a breath,” Kelly joked, adding that Cartwright is a high‑profile coach who will undergo thorough due diligence. “We can’t simply dismiss someone who might be available, just as we can’t ignore a candidate who is effectively on the market.” The Giants currently sit third from bottom in the Super League table, having secured only two wins from eight matches this season.
Their recent 56‑22 home loss to Leeds Rhinos highlighted the urgency of finding a leader who can inspire a turnaround. Kelly stressed that the club is looking for a coach with a clear vision for the next two to four years, someone who understands both the immediate challenges and the broader role the Giants play in the Huddersfield community and in the sport at large. “We are at a pivotal point in the club’s history,” Kelly said. “A coach must possess strong technical and tactical knowledge, but equally important is the ability to manage people and foster a winning culture.
This appointment is a massive responsibility because it will shape the direction of the club for years to come.” Rather than issuing a traditional application process, the Giants opted for expressions of interest, a two‑way approach that allows the club to reach out to coaches who might not have considered Huddersfield as a viable option. This strategy has broadened the pool and given the recruitment team the flexibility to engage in conversations with a range of candidates, including those who might be hesitant to apply directly. One of the complicating factors in the hiring timeline is the need to align the prospective coach’s recruitment philosophy with the club’s own player‑acquisition strategy.
Kelly admitted that this alignment has slowed the process somewhat: “We want to ensure that whichever coach we appoint is comfortable with the type of players we intend to bring in. The coach will have a say in recruitment, and we won’t announce the appointment until we are confident that the two are in sync.” He cautioned that premature announcements could lead to situations where a chosen coach declines the role, which would be counter‑productive for both parties.
The Giants’ board and senior staff are therefore taking a measured approach, preferring to wait until they have identified a candidate who meets both the tactical requirements and the cultural fit for Huddersfield. The club’s ultimate goal is to secure a leader who can rebuild confidence, develop a sustainable playing style, and re‑establish the Giants as a competitive force in the Super League. Fans can continue to follow the Giants’ progress through Sky Sports, which will broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two games each round shown exclusively and the remaining fixtures available throughout the week. As the recruitment process unfolds, Huddersfield supporters remain hopeful that the right appointment will usher in a new era of stability and success for their beloved club.