John Cartwright has emerged as one of several candidates being examined by the Huddersfield Giants as they search for a permanent, long‑term replacement for former head coach Luke Robinson. Robinson’s tenure at the Accu Stadium came to an abrupt end in late March after the Giants suffered five consecutive defeats in the Super League, prompting the club to make a swift change at the top of the coaching ladder.
In the immediate aftermath, interim boss Liam Finn stepped in to steady the ship and has since signalled his ambition to secure the job on a full‑time basis. Finn’s interim spell has given him a platform to showcase his ideas, but the board, led by director of rugby Andy Kelly, has confirmed that the shortlist extends beyond Finn to include experienced outsiders such as Cartwright.
Cartwright, who most recently served as head coach of Hull FC, announced his departure from the Hull role after the club confirmed he would be moving on at the conclusion of the season. His exit left him free to explore new opportunities, and the Giants appear to view his track record and reputation as a potential fit for their rebuilding project. During a recent appearance on The Bench podcast with hosts Jenna and Jon, Andy Kelly offered insight into the Giants’ recruitment methodology. He explained that the club has compiled a “long list” of possible coaches and is now in the process of whittling that list down to a more manageable short‑list.
“It’s been a long list, and it’s shortening down. There are people we are very interested in,” Kelly said, emphasizing that the search is being conducted with a high degree of diligence and obsession. Kelly also described his personal involvement in the process, noting that he is responsible for much of the background research and for matching each candidate’s philosophy with the club’s strategic objectives. He then presents his findings to the board of directors for final approval.
This approach reflects the Giants’ desire to make a considered, well‑informed decision rather than a reactionary appointment. When asked specifically about Cartwright, Kelly noted that the former Hull boss may not even be actively looking for his next role. “He’s probably not even considered what his next job is.
He’s been associated with all the jobs at the moment. I would imagine John Cartwright, at this minute, needs to finish his cup of coffee and sit back and breathe,” Kelly remarked. The comment underscored the notion that Cartwright is a high‑profile figure whose availability is uncertain, and that the Giants intend to conduct thorough due‑diligence before making any overtures. The Giants currently sit near the bottom of the Super League table, occupying the third‑from‑bottom position after just two wins from eight matches.
Their recent 56‑22 home loss to Leeds Rhinos highlighted the urgency of finding a coach who can arrest the slide and instil a new sense of purpose. Kelly stressed that the right appointment must align with both the on‑field ambitions and the broader community role that the club plays. “I’m looking for a coach who has a vision for where he wants to take the team in the next two to four years, and who understands where we are now and the importance of the club in the community and to the game itself,” Kelly explained.
He added that while the Giants cherish their historic roots – “we were at the very beginnings of rugby league in Huddersfield” – they cannot rely solely on nostalgia. Modern success will require a coach who possesses both technical and tactical expertise and the ability to manage a squad effectively.
Kelly described the recruitment phase as a defining moment for the club. “This is a defining moment in the club’s history – one where we can change what we’re capable of doing going forward.
The coach appointment is a massive responsibility for us all,” he said. To broaden the pool of potential candidates, the Giants opted to solicit expressions of interest rather than formal applications.
This two‑way approach allows the club to approach coaches who may not have previously considered Huddersfield a viable destination, while also gauging whether those coaches view the Giants as an attractive prospect. One of the complexities that has slowed the process, according to Kelly, is the need to align the prospective coach’s philosophy with the club’s player recruitment strategy. “That has stalled our process a little bit because we want to make sure that whoever the coach is, they are comfortable with the players we are looking to recruit,” he said. The coach will have a say in future signings, and the club intends to announce the appointment only when both parties are fully aligned.
Kelly also warned that the Giants could approach a candidate who ultimately declines the offer, which would necessitate further deliberation. “We could approach somebody who actually turns us down, so it would be wrong of me to put names in place,” he cautioned.
In summary, the Huddersfield Giants are methodically evaluating a short‑list that includes Liam Finn, John Cartwright, and possibly other seasoned coaches. Their objective is to secure a leader who can craft a clear, multi‑year plan, integrate with the club’s recruitment agenda, and revitalize a side that has struggled in the early stages of the season. As the search continues, fans can expect further updates from the club’s hierarchy, and Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League fixture, providing ample opportunity to track the Giants’ progress under any eventual new head coach.