John Cartwright has emerged as one of the leading candidates being examined by the Huddersfield Giants as the club searches for a permanent, long‑term successor to former head coach Luke Robinson. Robinson’s tenure at the Accu Stadium came to an abrupt end at the close of March after the Giants suffered five consecutive defeats in the Super League, prompting the board to make a swift change at the helm. In the immediate aftermath, Liam Finn stepped in as interim head coach, taking charge of day‑to‑day training and match preparation while also formally submitting his name for consideration for the full‑time position. Finn’s interim spell has been closely watched, but the club’s director of rugby, Andy Kelly, has confirmed that the shortlist also includes John Cartwright, who most recently stepped down from his role as head coach of Hull FC after the club announced that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season.
During a recent appearance on The Bench podcast with hosts Jenna and Jon, Kelly provided insight into the Giants’ recruitment process. He explained that the board has been “obsessively” reviewing a long list of potential coaches, gradually narrowing the pool to a handful of individuals who match the club’s strategic vision. Kelly said, “I’m doing a lot of background work, a lot of research, looking at where I think a coach will fit with what we’re trying to bring about, and then presenting those findings to the board.” When asked specifically about Cartwright, Kelly noted that the former Hull coach may not even be actively seeking a new role at the moment.
“He’s probably not even considering what his next job is,” Kelly remarked. “He’s been linked with a number of vacancies, but I imagine John is just finishing his coffee, taking a breath, and waiting to see what comes next.” Kelly added that Cartwright is a “profile coach” who will undergo thorough due‑diligence and background checks before any decision is made. “We can’t just dismiss someone who might be available, just as we can’t dismiss someone who isn’t,” Kelly emphasized, underscoring the club’s measured approach. The Giants currently sit third from the bottom in the Super League standings, having secured only two wins from eight matches this season.
Their most recent performance was a humbling 56‑22 defeat at home to the Leeds Rhinos, a result that has intensified the urgency to stabilise the coaching situation. Kelly stressed that the appointment of a new head coach is a pivotal moment for the club, describing it as a “defining moment in the club’s history.” He explained that the ideal candidate must possess a clear vision for the next two to four years, an understanding of the club’s current position, and an appreciation of the Giants’ role within the local community and the broader rugby league ecosystem. According to Kelly, the recruitment process has been deliberately structured around “expressions of interest” rather than formal applications. This two‑way approach allows the Giants to reach out to coaches who might not have initially viewed Huddersfield as a viable option, while also giving those coaches the chance to assess whether the club aligns with their own career aspirations.
“It’s about covering the whole sphere and not rushing into the decision,” Kelly said, highlighting the need for a thorough fit between coach, players, and the club’s long‑term objectives. One of the complicating factors in the search is the alignment of the coaching appointment with the club’s player recruitment strategy.
Kelly explained that the Giants want any prospective head coach to be comfortable with, and have input into, the type of players the club intends to bring in. This synergy has slightly delayed the process, as the board does not want to announce a coach who might later reject the proposed recruitment plan. “The coach will have a say in recruitment. The announcement will come at the point when we know who that person is,” Kelly clarified.
While Finn remains in charge on an interim basis, the Giants are carefully weighing all options. Cartwright’s experience, particularly his tenure at Hull FC where he guided the team through a period of rebuilding, makes him an attractive prospect. His reputation for developing young talent and implementing structured, tactical game plans aligns with the Giants’ desire to improve both on‑field performance and community engagement. Beyond the immediate coaching question, the Giants are also looking ahead to the broader commercial and broadcasting landscape.
Sky Sports has confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League match this season, with two games per round shown exclusively live and the remaining fixtures available across the Sky Sports network. This increased exposure adds another layer of importance to the coaching appointment, as a stable and forward‑thinking leadership team can help the club capitalize on the heightened visibility. In summary, Huddersfield Giants are undertaking a comprehensive and deliberate search for a new head coach. The shortlist includes Liam Finn, who is currently steering the team on an interim basis, and John Cartwright, the former Hull FC boss who has recently become available.
Director of rugby Andy Kelly is overseeing a process that balances immediate performance needs with long‑term strategic goals, ensuring that any eventual appointment will be capable of guiding the club out of its current struggles, strengthening its ties to the community, and positioning it for sustained success in the evolving landscape of professional rugby league.