Hull FC’s chief executive, Richie Myler, has stepped forward to clarify the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit, especially after the announcement that Steve McNamara will assume the head‑coach role in 2027. Myler’s comments aim to provide transparency for supporters and to address the swirling rumours about how the decision was communicated to Cartwright. Cartwright originally signed a three‑year contract that was slated to run through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season. However, the club later informed the Australian that his agreement would be terminated at the end of the 2026 campaign.
The intention, according to Hull FC, was to allow Cartwright to finish the current season before handing the reins to McNamara, a native of Hull, for the following year. The club publicly disclosed on 7 April that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season. Six days later, the coach held a passionate press conference in which he expressed feelings of betrayal and disrespect, insisting that he had not been given a clear rationale for the decision.
Despite the tension, Cartwright led the team in its next fixture – a home match against St Helens – which ended in a 24‑14 defeat. After the final whistle, he walked off the pitch to a standing ovation, with players following him down the tunnel in a display that blended solidarity with a heartfelt farewell.
Shortly after that game, Hull FC confirmed that Cartwright would no longer serve as head coach, though he would remain employed by the club in another capacity. The organization then officially named Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor, cementing the transition plan that had been discussed behind the scenes. Myler stressed that his primary goal was to give fans "clarity" about the situation and to dispel the narrative that Cartwright had been notified via email.
He described the actual conversation as a brief, face‑to‑face meeting that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday preceding the Hull derby. "It lasted no longer than ten minutes," Myler recounted, adding that while he believed the message was clear, Cartwright’s recollection differed, leading to the subsequent public dispute. According to Myler, the meeting concluded with the agreement that from 2027 the club would pursue a different direction, while reaffirming full support for Cartwright throughout the 2026 season.
He emphasized that the club wanted Cartwright to hear the news directly from the board rather than through speculative media reports that had been circulating for months about a potential replacement. Myler admitted that perhaps he had not delivered the message as plainly as Cartwright needed. He explained that after his own discussion with Cartwright, he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held a longer phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club’s stance and confirm the commitment for the remaining year.
The contract required a written notice of the decision, and Myler clarified that the suggestion of an email notification was inaccurate. When questioned about the timing of the decision, Myler said the club could not afford to linger in a volatile coaching market, especially given McNamara’s availability. He noted that his conversation with McNamara indicated a clear progression toward the appointment, but the deal could not be finalized until McNamara’s existing contract with Warrington was resolved. "We were on the same page that this was happening subject to fine‑tuning," Myler explained.
He added that he was concerned about the news reaching Cartwright while he was away, and therefore chose not to disclose the details about McNamara at that moment. "At that point John did not know about Steve because I didn’t tell him; he only knew someone else was being considered," Myler said. The rapidity of the transition, Myler argued, was driven by market conditions. He pointed to recent coaching changes across the league – Huddersfield’s dismissal of Luke Robinson, the uncertainty surrounding Brad Arthur at Leeds, and the high‑profile departure of Willie Peters from Hull KR – as evidence that opportunities were fleeting.
Myler recalled seeing a promising assistant coach at Warrington and not wanting to miss that chance. He warned that if the club had delayed, it might have lost the opportunity to secure McNamara, which could have left the fan base disgruntled. "If I had let the timeline slip, we would be having a very different conversation now, with fans extremely annoyed," he said. Myler concluded that while the timing inevitably affected Cartwright’s position, the club’s intention had always been to be honest with him.
He acknowledged that Cartwright’s reaction forced the club to act decisively, but reiterated that the overarching aim was to position Hull FC for sustained success under a coach familiar with the local community. Beyond the immediate coaching shuffle, Myler highlighted the broader context of the Super League’s broadcasting arrangements.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every game live this season, offering two exclusive live matches each round and covering the remaining fixtures across the week. This extensive coverage ensures that fans can follow the league’s developments, including Hull FC’s evolving coaching story, without missing any action.
In summary, Richie Myler’s statements paint a picture of a club navigating a complex coaching market, striving to balance respect for a departing coach with the strategic imperative to secure a new leader. By communicating directly with supporters and clarifying the timeline, Myler hopes to restore confidence among the Hull FC faithful and set the stage for a smooth transition to Steve McNamara’s tenure starting in 2027.