Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has publicly defended the club’s handling of John Cartwright’s exit after confirming that Steve McNamara will assume the head‑coach role in 2027. The situation, which has generated considerable debate among supporters and pundits, stems from a series of contractual adjustments and strategic decisions made by the organization in response to a rapidly shifting coaching market.
Initially, Cartwright was offered a three‑year deal that was supposed to run through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season. However, Hull later informed the Australian coach that his contract would be terminated a year early, at the end of the 2026 campaign. The club’s preferred scenario was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara would step in as the long‑term head coach of his hometown club starting in 2027.
On April 7, Hull announced that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season. Six days later, the head coach held an emotionally charged press conference in which he claimed he felt "betrayed" and "disrespected," insisting that he had not been given a clear explanation for the decision. Despite the tension, Cartwright still led Hull FC in their subsequent fixture against Hull KR and St Helens, a match that ended in a 24‑14 home defeat. After the final whistle, he walked off the pitch to a standing ovation, with several players following him down the tunnel in a gesture that seemed both a show of solidarity and a poignant farewell.
Shortly after that game, Hull confirmed that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, though he would remain employed by the club in another capacity. The organization then officially named Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor, a move that Myler said was intended to provide fans with "clarity" and to dispel rumors that Cartwright had been notified of his dismissal via email. Myler emphasized that the narrative about an email notification was "not strictly true." He pointed to a brief, face‑to‑face meeting that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby.
"John and I talked for about ten minutes about the upcoming derby," Myler recounted. "My understanding was that the conversation was clear: from 2027 the club would move in a different direction, but we would continue to support him fully through the 2026 season.
I wanted him to hear this directly from the board, not from a newspaper speculation that had been circulating for months about a replacement he didn’t know about." Myler admitted that his delivery may have fallen short of what Cartwright needed. He added that after his own meeting with Cartwright, he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then spent an hour on the phone with Cartwright to reiterate the club’s position and reaffirm the commitment to the 2026 season. "Part of John’s contract required a written notice of the decision," Myler explained.
"The claim that we informed him by email is inaccurate; we followed the proper protocol, but the way the message was conveyed could have been clearer." When questioned about the timing of the decision, Myler explained that Hull could not afford to delay its plans given the volatility of the Super League coaching market, especially with McNamara’s availability on the table. "The timing is linked to Steve McNamara," he said. "Steve and I had several conversations that showed a clear progression toward him taking the role. It wasn’t a done deal while he was still under contract with Warrington, but we were aligning the pieces and fine‑tuning the transition." Myler also highlighted the broader context of the coaching landscape.
He noted that Huddersfield had recently dismissed Luke Robinson, Leeds were dealing with uncertainty around Brad Arthur, and the most obvious change was Willie Peters’ departure from Hull KR. "I was aware that there were several openings and that the market was moving quickly," Myler said. "I saw an assistant coach at Warrington who had the qualities we needed, and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity." He warned that if the club had let the chance slip, the fan base would have been "extremely annoyed" a year later, especially if McNamara had taken a rival position.
"I didn’t want to miss an opportunity," Myler reiterated. "The timeline unfortunately impacted John’s position, but our intention was to be honest with him. His reaction forced us to act accordingly." In summary, Myler’s statements paint a picture of a club trying to balance respect for a departing coach with the strategic imperative to secure a promising successor in a competitive market.
While the method of communication may have caused friction, the executive maintains that the decision was made with transparency and in the best long‑term interest of Hull FC. The episode underscores the challenges professional sports organizations face when navigating coaching transitions, contractual obligations, and the expectations of a passionate fan base.