John Cartwright has emerged as one of several 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 came to an abrupt end at the Accu Stadium in late March after the Giants suffered five straight defeats in the Super League, prompting the board to make a change at the top of the coaching hierarchy. In the wake of Robinson’s departure, interim coach Liam Finn stepped in to steady the ship and has also submitted his name for consideration as the full‑time boss.
However, the club’s director of rugby, Andy Kelly, disclosed that the shortlist extends beyond Finn and includes the experienced John Cartwright, who most recently served as head coach of Hull FC before parting ways with the club at the conclusion of the season. During a candid discussion on "The Bench" podcast with hosts Jenna and Jon, Kelly explained the thoroughness of the Giants’ selection process. "We have a list of coaches that we’re looking at – probably obsessively," he said. "It started as a long list and we’ve been whittling it down.
There are a few names we’re particularly interested in." Kelly emphasized his personal involvement in the vetting work, noting that he has been conducting background research, assessing how each potential coach might fit with the club’s strategic vision, and then presenting his findings to the board of directors for final approval. When asked specifically about Cartwright, Kelly added: "He probably hasn’t even thought about his next job yet. He’s been linked to every vacancy that’s come up recently. I imagine John is currently sipping his coffee, taking a breath, and waiting to see what happens.
He’s a high‑profile coach, so we’ll do our due diligence and background checks before moving forward. We can’t simply dismiss a candidate who might be available, just as we can’t overlook someone who is genuinely interested." The Giants are currently languishing near the bottom of the Super League table, sitting third from last after just two wins in eight games. Their recent 56‑22 loss at home to Leeds Rhinos underscored the urgency of finding a leader who can reverse the club’s fortunes. Kelly spoke about the stakes involved in the recruitment process, stressing that the right appointment is crucial for the club’s future both on and off the field.
"I’m looking for a coach who has a clear vision for the next two to four years, someone who understands where we stand today and recognises the importance of the club to the local community and to the sport as a whole," Kelly explained. "We have a proud heritage – we were part of the very origins of rugby league in Huddersfield – but we can’t rely on history alone. We need a leader who can blend technical and tactical expertise with strong man‑management skills." He described the upcoming decision as a defining moment in the Giants’ history, a point at which the organization can set a new trajectory.
"The appointment of a head coach carries massive responsibility for everyone involved," he said. "It’s not just about picking a name; it’s about aligning the coach’s philosophy with our broader objectives." Rather than issuing a traditional application process, the Giants opted for expressions of interest, a two‑way approach that allowed the club to reach out to coaches who might not have initially considered Huddersfield a viable option.
This method, Kelly noted, has helped the Giants broaden their pool of potential candidates and engage in meaningful dialogue with those who might be a good cultural fit. One of the complexities Kelly highlighted is the need to synchronize the coach’s recruitment strategy with the club’s player acquisition plans. "We want to ensure that any coach we bring in is comfortable with the type of players we intend to sign," he said.
"The coach will have a say in recruitment, and we won’t announce the appointment until we’re confident the two are aligned." He warned that the process could be delayed if a preferred candidate declines the offer, but stressed that transparency and mutual interest are paramount. "We could approach someone who turns us down, so it would be premature to name names before we have a firm commitment," Kelly concluded. As the Super League season continues, Sky Sports has committed to broadcasting every match live, with two fixtures each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five aired throughout the week.
The increased exposure adds further pressure on Huddersfield to stabilise their performance and make a strategic appointment that can steer the club back up the ladder. In summary, the Huddersfield Giants are conducting a meticulous and expansive search for a new head coach. John Cartwright, with his extensive experience and recent availability, sits prominently on the shortlist alongside interim boss Liam Finn and possibly other seasoned candidates. The club’s leadership is focused on finding a visionary who can blend tactical acumen, player management, and community engagement to guide the Giants out of their current slump and lay the foundations for sustained success over the coming years.