Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has stepped forward to clarify the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit, following the announcement that Steve McNamara will assume the role in 2027. The situation has generated considerable debate among supporters and pundits, prompting Myler to offer a detailed account of the decisions that led to the transition. Cartwright originally signed a three‑year agreement that was meant to keep him at the helm through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season. However, the board later decided to truncate the contract, ending it at the close of the 2026 campaign.
The intention behind this adjustment was to allow Cartwright to finish the current season with a clear mandate, while giving the club ample time to prepare for McNamara’s arrival as the long‑term successor. On 7 April, Hull FC publicly confirmed that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season.
Six days later, the Australian coach addressed the media in a highly emotional press conference, describing his feelings of betrayal and disrespect. He claimed he had received no concrete explanation for the club’s decision and was left to speculate about the motives behind his dismissal. Despite the tension, Cartwright still led his side in the subsequent fixture against Hull KR and St Helens, a match that ended in a 24‑14 defeat on home turf.
After the final whistle, he walked off the field to a standing ovation from the crowd, and several players accompanied him down the tunnel, a poignant display of solidarity and farewell. In the days that followed, Hull FC clarified that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, though he would remain employed by the organization in a different capacity.
The club simultaneously confirmed that Steve McNamara, a native of Hull with a strong coaching pedigree, would be installed as the long‑term head coach. Myler emphasized that his primary goal was to provide fans with "clarity" and to dispel rumors that Cartwright had been notified of his termination via email.
He asserted that the narrative suggesting an impersonal email was "not strictly true" and that a face‑to‑face meeting had actually taken place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday preceding the Hull derby. "John and I spoke briefly in his office on Monday – the conversation lasted no more than ten minutes," Myler recounted.
"My understanding was that we were discussing the upcoming derby and the broader direction of the club. From that meeting, it was clear that from 2027 the club would be heading in a different direction.
He still had our full support for the 2026 season, and we wanted him to hear that directly from the board rather than from a speculative newspaper article." Myler admitted that the delivery of the message might not have been as clear as required. He added that after his own discussion with Cartwright, he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who subsequently held an hour‑long phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club’s position and reaffirm their commitment to him for the remaining year.
The contract, Myler noted, required a written notice of the decision, but the claim that this was sent by email was inaccurate. When asked about the timing of the decision, Myler explained that the club could not afford to delay its move amid a turbulent coaching market, especially given McNamara’s availability. "The timing is directly linked to Steve McNamara," he said.
"Steve and I had several conversations, and the process was progressing very clearly." He clarified that the deal with McNamara was not yet final because the coach was still under contract with Warrington, and negotiations needed to be finalised. "We were aligned on the plan, pending a few details," Myler noted. "I was concerned that if John learned of the news while I was away, it could cause unnecessary disruption. At that point, John was unaware of Steve’s involvement because I had not disclosed it, believing it was not the right moment." Myler praised McNamara’s strengths, citing his successful tenure at Catalans and his reputation for building strong organisational cultures.
He explained that the rapidity of the transition was driven by market circumstances: English coaching talent was in high demand, with Huddersfield releasing Luke Robinson, Leeds dealing with Brad Arthur’s situation, and Willie Peters preparing to leave Hull KR. "I saw an assistant coach at Warrington who had the profile we needed, and I didn’t want to miss that chance," Myler said.
He warned that had the club waited a year, McNamara might have taken the Hull KR job, leaving Hull FC to miss a strategic opportunity. "If I had let that happen, our fans would have been extremely upset," he added. "I didn’t want to pass up an opening that could benefit the club long‑term. The timeline inevitably affected John’s position, but our intention was always to be transparent with him." Myler concluded by acknowledging Cartwright’s reaction to the news and stating that the club had to respond accordingly.
"We respect John’s contributions and we will continue to support him in his new role within the organization," he said. "Our focus now is to ensure a smooth handover to Steve and to keep Hull FC competitive in the Super League." The club also highlighted upcoming broadcast arrangements, noting that Sky Sports will continue to show every Super League game live this season, with two matches per round streamed exclusively and the remaining fixtures broadcast throughout the week. This ensures that supporters can follow the team’s progress as the new coaching era unfolds.
Overall, Myler’s statements aim to provide a comprehensive picture of the strategic considerations behind the coaching change, the respect owed to Cartwright for his service, and the ambition to secure a forward‑looking leadership team that can guide Hull FC through the evolving landscape of the Super League.