John Cartwright has emerged as one of several names being examined by the Huddersfield Giants as they hunt for a permanent replacement for departing head coach Luke Robinson. Robinson’s tenure at the Accu Stadium came to an abrupt end in late March after the Giants suffered five straight Super League defeats, 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 put his own hand forward for the full‑time position. While Finn’s short‑term stewardship has been welcomed by players and supporters alike, the club’s director of rugby, Andy Kelly, disclosed that the shortlist also contains the experienced former Hull FC boss John Cartwright, who recently stepped down after Hull announced his departure at the conclusion of the season.
During a candid appearance on The Bench podcast with hosts Jenna and Jon, Kelly explained the breadth and depth of the search. “We have a list of coaches that we’re looking at – probably obsessively so,” he said.
“It started out as a long list and we’ve been whittling it down. There are a few candidates we’re particularly interested in.” He added that his role involves a great deal of behind‑the‑scenes work, from conducting research on each potential appointment to assessing how a coach’s philosophy aligns with the club’s long‑term vision, before presenting the findings to the board of directors. When the conversation turned to Cartwright, Kelly noted that the former England assistant coach may not even be actively seeking a new role at the moment. “He’s probably still finishing his coffee and taking a breath,” Kelly joked.
“He’s a high‑profile coach and we’ll be doing our due diligence, but we can’t simply dismiss anyone who might be available, just as we can’t ignore someone who is genuinely interested.” The Giants currently sit third from bottom in the Super League table, having recorded only two wins from eight matches this season. Their recent 56‑22 home loss to Leeds Rhinos underscored the urgency of finding a leader who can reverse the club’s fortunes. Kelly emphasized that the recruitment process is about more than just filling a vacancy; it is about securing a visionary who can guide the team for the next two to four years while respecting the club’s deep roots in the Huddersfield community.
"We need a coach who has a clear plan for where he wants to take the side, who understands our present situation and the importance of the club both locally and within the broader game," Kelly explained. "We were pioneers of rugby league in Huddersfield, but we can’t rely on that heritage forever. We must first understand where we are before we can chart a path forward." Technical expertise and tactical acumen are, of course, essential, but Kelly stressed that the ideal candidate must also possess strong man‑management skills.
"A coach has to be both a strategist on the field and a leader off it. This is a defining moment in the club’s history – a chance to reshape what we can achieve moving forward. The appointment carries massive responsibility for everyone involved," he said.
Rather than issuing a traditional job advert, the Giants opted to request expressions of interest from a select group of coaches. This two‑way approach allows the club to gauge whether potential candidates view Huddersfield as a viable destination, while also giving the coaches a chance to assess whether the club meets their own career aspirations.
Kelly noted that this method has broadened the pool of possibilities, enabling the Giants to approach individuals who might not have considered the role otherwise. One complicating factor in the search is the need to align the head coach’s recruitment strategy with the club’s player‑signing plans. Kelly admitted that this synergy has slowed the process slightly. "We want to be sure that whoever we appoint is comfortable with the type of players we intend to bring in," he said.
"The coach will have a say in recruitment, and we will make the official announcement once we have a clear picture of both the coaching appointment and the player roster that will support it." Kelly also warned that the club could approach a coach who ultimately declines the offer, which would require a backup plan. "It would be premature to name names before we have a firm commitment," he said. Looking ahead, Sky Sports has confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League match this season, with two games per round shown live and the remaining fixtures streamed on its platforms.
The increased exposure adds further pressure on Huddersfield to make a decisive and well‑thought‑out appointment, as the club seeks to climb out of the relegation zone and restore pride to a fan base that has endured a challenging start to the campaign. In summary, the Huddersfield Giants are conducting a thorough and methodical search for a new head coach, with John Cartwright featuring prominently among the candidates. The club’s leadership is focused on finding a figure who can blend tactical brilliance with strong leadership, align with player recruitment, and ultimately guide the team back to competitive stability while honoring the storied legacy of rugby league in Huddersfield.