Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has publicly defended the club’s handling of the departure of long‑time head coach John Cartwright, after confirming that former England coach Steve McNamara will assume the top job in 2027. The situation has generated a great deal of debate among supporters, media pundits and the broader rugby league community, so Myler set out to clarify the timeline, the contractual nuances and the strategic reasoning behind the move.
Cartwright originally signed a three‑year deal that was intended to keep him in charge through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season. In a surprising turn of events, the club later informed the Australian that his contract would be terminated a year early, with the final day of his tenure set for the end of the 2026 campaign.
The board’s preferred scenario was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara would take over as head coach of his hometown club in the following year. On April 7, Hull FC announced that Cartwright would be leaving at the end of the Betfred Super League season.
Six days later, the coach held a highly emotional press conference in which he claimed he felt "betrayed" and "disrespected" and said he had not been given any clear explanation for the decision. The following weekend, Cartwright led Hull FC in a match against Hull KR and St Helens, a game that ended in a 24‑14 home defeat.
After the final whistle he walked off the pitch to a standing ovation, and players escorted him down the tunnel in a scene that blended solidarity with a poignant farewell. Shortly after the match, the club confirmed that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, although he would remain employed by Hull FC in a different capacity. The announcement also confirmed Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor, cementing the club’s strategic plan for the next few years. Myler said his primary goal was to give supporters "clarity" about the situation and dismissed rumours that Cartwright had been informed of his termination via a simple email.
According to Myler, the narrative that the coach was notified by electronic message is "not strictly true". Instead, the chief executive described a brief, face‑to‑face conversation that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby. "It was a short conversation that lasted no longer than ten minutes," Myler explained.
He added that the discussion made it clear that the club intended to move in a different direction from 2027 onward, while still offering full support for Cartwright throughout the 2026 season. Myler acknowledged that the way the message was delivered could have been clearer. He said, "Maybe it is a failure on my part that I didn’t deliver that message as clearly as John needed it." Following the meeting, Myler spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held a lengthy phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club’s position and confirm that the written notice required by the contract would be provided – again, not via email but through formal documentation. When asked about the timing of the decision, Myler explained that Hull FC could not afford to delay its plans amid a volatile coaching market.
The club had been tracking Steve McNamara’s availability for some time, and the opportunity to secure his services was seen as a catalyst for acting swiftly. "The timing of it is linked to Steve McNamara," Myler said.
"Me and Steve had a conversation where things were very clearly progressing." McNamara was still under contract with Warrington at the time, so Hull FC needed to negotiate a release before finalising the appointment. Myler said the two clubs were "on the same page" and that the process was subject to fine‑tuning. He also revealed that he deliberately did not inform Cartwright about McNamara’s potential arrival until the decision was locked in, fearing that premature disclosure could create unnecessary speculation and tension. The broader context of the English coaching market also played a role.
Myler pointed to several high‑profile changes: Huddersfield had dismissed Luke Robinson, Leeds were dealing with uncertainty surrounding Brad Arthur, and Willie Peters was set to leave Hull KR. "I was sitting there thinking we needed a bit more stability, and I knew there was a guy in an assistant role at Warrington who could deliver that," Myler said. "I didn’t want to miss that opportunity." He warned that missing out on McNamara could have alienated the fanbase. "Let’s fast forward twelve months and McNamara is head coach of Hull KR while we missed the chance – our supporters would be extremely annoyed," Myler argued.
The swift move, he said, was driven by circumstance and market dynamics rather than any personal animus toward Cartwright. Myler concluded by acknowledging that the rapid timeline inevitably affected Cartwright’s position, but insisted the club’s intention had always been honesty. "With the way he has responded to that news, we have had to act accordingly," he said.
The episode underscores the challenges faced by professional sports organisations when balancing contractual obligations, strategic planning and the human element of leadership changes. While Hull FC believes the appointment of Steve McNamara will position the club for future success, the handling of John Cartwright’s exit remains a point of contention among fans and commentators alike.
The Super League continues to broadcast every match live this season, with Sky Sports providing exclusive coverage of two games each round and additional fixtures shown throughout the week. Fans can stay updated on the latest table standings, podcasts such as The Bench with Jenna and Jon, and personalised sports notifications to keep track of developments across the league.