Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has publicly defended the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit after confirming that Steve McNamara will assume the top job in 2027. The discussion centres on a contractual nuance: although Cartwright originally signed a three‑year deal intended to run through the end of the 2027 Super League season, the club later informed the Australian that his agreement would actually terminate at the close of the 2026 campaign. The board’s initial plan was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara – a former Hull native who had been coaching elsewhere – would step in as the new head coach from the start of the 2027 season.
On 7 April, Hull announced that Cartwright would depart at the conclusion 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," insisting that he had not been given a clear rationale for the club’s decision. Cartwright’s final match in charge was the derby against Hull KR, a game that ended in a 24‑14 home loss to St Helens. After the final whistle, he walked off the field to a standing ovation, with several players following him down the tunnel in a poignant display that blended solidarity with a heartfelt farewell.
Shortly after that emotional night, Hull confirmed that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, although he would remain employed by the organisation in a different capacity. The club then officially named Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor, cementing the transition plan that had been discussed behind closed doors. Myler stressed that his aim was to give supporters "clarity" about the situation and dismissed rumors that Cartwright had been notified of his dismissal via email. According to the CEO, that narrative is "not strictly true." He pointed instead to a brief, face‑to‑face conversation that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby.
"John and I spoke for about ten minutes in his office about the upcoming derby," Myler recalled. "My understanding of that conversation was clear, but John remembered it slightly differently, and that discrepancy has fueled the media speculation we’ve seen.
Myler explained that the meeting’s core message was that, from 2027 onward, the club intended to move in a different direction. He added that Cartwright still had the full backing of the board for the remainder of the 2026 season and that the intention was for him to hear the news directly from the board rather than from a newspaper or a speculative article that had been circulating for months about a possible replacement. Admitting that communication could have been handled better, Myler said, "Maybe it is a failure on my part that I didn’t deliver that message as clearly as John needed it." He went on to describe a follow‑up conversation with Andrew Thirkill, who then spent an hour on the phone with Cartwright reiterating the club’s position and confirming that the organization remained fully committed to him for the 2026 season.
Regarding the contractual requirement to inform Cartwright in writing, Myler clarified that the claim of an email notification was inaccurate; the formal written notice was delivered through other means, consistent with the terms of his contract. When pressed about the timing of the decision, Myler argued that Hull could not afford to wait in a volatile coaching market, especially given the availability of Steve McNamara.
"The timing is linked to Steve McNamara," he said. "Steve and I had a conversation where things were progressing very clearly.
It wasn’t a done deal because he was still under contract with Warrington, and we had to sort that out first." Myler explained that the club wanted to act swiftly once the opportunity presented itself, fearing that a delay could see the chance slip away. He recounted his own thought process: "I was away and thought, if John finds out this news while I’m away…" He added that at the time, Cartwright was not aware of McNamara’s impending appointment because Myler had chosen not to disclose that information, believing it was not the right moment. The CEO highlighted the broader context of the English coaching market, noting several high‑profile changes: Huddersfield had dismissed Luke Robinson, Leeds were dealing with Brad Arthur’s uncertain future, and the most obvious shift was Willie Peters leaving Hull KR.
"I was thinking we needed a bit more, and I knew there was a promising assistant at Warrington. I didn’t want to miss that opportunity," Myler said. He painted a hypothetical scenario: "Fast forward 12 months and McNamara is head coach of Hull KR. If I had passed on the chance, we would be having a very different conversation because our fanbase would be extremely annoyed.
I didn’t want to miss an opportunity. The timeline unfortunately affected John’s position, but our intention was to be honest with him." Myler concluded by acknowledging Cartwright’s reaction to the news, stating that the club had to respond accordingly.
He reiterated that the decision was driven by strategic considerations and the need to secure a coach who could bring long‑term stability and success to the club. In the wider picture, the Super League continues to evolve, with Sky Sports confirming that it will broadcast every game live this season, offering two exclusive matches each round and covering the remaining five matches weekly.
This increased exposure adds pressure on clubs like Hull FC to maintain competitive performance and strategic clarity, both on and off the field. Overall, the situation underscores the delicate balance between honoring existing contracts, managing stakeholder expectations, and seizing timely opportunities in a fast‑moving sporting environment. While the departure of a long‑serving coach can be unsettling for fans, the club’s leadership argues that transparent communication and proactive planning are essential to navigating such transitions successfully.