Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has publicly defended the club's handling of the sudden exit of head coach John Cartwright, after confirming that Steve McNamara will assume the role in 2027. The situation, which has sparked intense debate among supporters and pundits alike, revolves around a contractual reshuffle that saw Cartwright's three‑year deal—originally intended to run through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season—being curtailed to finish at the end of the 2026 campaign. According to Myler, the club's ideal scenario was for Cartwright to finish the current season on a high note before handing over the reins to McNamara, a native of Hull, in the following year.
However, on April 7 the organization announced that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season. Six days later the Australian coach held an emotional press conference, describing himself as "betrayed" and "disrespected" and claiming he had received no clear explanation for the decision. Cartwright's final match in charge was the derby against Hull KR, a game that ended in a 24‑14 defeat to St Helens. After the final whistle he walked off the pitch to a standing ovation, and the players followed him down the tunnel in a poignant display that seemed both a show of solidarity and a heartfelt farewell.
In the days that followed, Hull FC clarified that Cartwright would no longer fulfil head‑coach duties, although he would remain employed by the club in a different capacity. The board then confirmed Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor, a move that Myler said was intended to give fans "clarity" and to dispel rumours that Cartwright had been informed of his dismissal via email. Myler emphasized that the narrative of an impersonal email was "not strictly true".
He recounted a brief, ten‑minute face‑to‑face meeting that took place in Cartwright's office on the Monday before the Hull derby. "John and I talked about the upcoming derby," Myler explained.
"My understanding of that conversation was clear, but John recalled it slightly differently, which has led to the confusion we now see in the media." During that meeting, Myler reportedly told Cartwright that the club intended to pursue a different direction starting in 2027, while reaffirming its full support for him throughout the 2026 season. "The intent was that he would hear it directly from me and the board, not from a newspaper speculation about a replacement he hadn't been told about," Myler added.
He admitted that perhaps he had not communicated the message as clearly as John needed, and that following the meeting he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held an hour‑long phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club's stance. The chief executive also addressed contractual obligations, noting that part of Cartwright's agreement required a written notice of the decision. While some reports suggested this notice was sent by email, Myler insisted that this was inaccurate and that the proper protocol had been followed.
When questioned about the timing of the decision, Myler explained that Hull could not afford to delay its strategic move amid a volatile coaching market, especially given McNamara's availability. "The timing is linked to Steve McNamara," he said. "Steve and I had several conversations that made it clear the transition was progressing." Myler acknowledged that the situation was complicated by McNamara still being under contract with Warrington at the time. "It wasn't a done deal because he was still tied to Warrington, and we had to sort that out first," Myler said.
"We were aligned that the change would happen once the contractual details were fine‑tuned." He also revealed that he deliberately withheld the news of McNamara's impending appointment from Cartwright until the appropriate moment, fearing that premature disclosure could destabilise the team. "John didn't know about Steve because I didn't think it was the right thing to do at that stage," Myler admitted. "He only knew that someone else was being considered." The rapid pace of the transition, Myler argued, was driven by market forces. He pointed to the broader English coaching landscape: Huddersfield had dismissed Luke Robinson, Leeds were dealing with Brad Arthur's uncertain future, and Willie Peters was set to leave Hull KR.
"I was watching the market and thought we needed to act quickly," Myler said. "There was a promising assistant at Warrington, and I didn't want to miss that opportunity." Reflecting on the potential fallout, Myler warned that if McNamara had taken the Hull KR job instead, the club would have faced a very different conversation with its fanbase, likely resulting in extreme frustration among supporters. "I didn't want to miss an opportunity," he said.
"The timeline unfortunately affected John's position, but our intention was always to be honest with him." Myler concluded by stating that Cartwright's reaction to the news forced the club to act decisively. "Given how he responded, we had to move forward in the best interests of the organization," he explained. The broader context of this coaching shuffle is set against the backdrop of Sky Sports' renewed commitment to broadcasting every Super League match live this season, with two fixtures each round shown exclusively, and the remaining five matches aired throughout the week.
This increased exposure adds pressure on clubs to maintain stability and competitive performance, making strategic coaching appointments even more critical. In summary, Richie Myler defended the club's decision as a necessary, forward‑looking move designed to secure Hull FC's long‑term success. By securing Steve McNamara—an experienced coach with a proven track record at Catalans and a deep connection to the city—Hull aims to chart a new direction while still honouring its commitment to John Cartwright for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The club hopes that transparency, even if imperfectly communicated, will eventually bring clarity to supporters and allow the team to focus on on‑field performance in the upcoming Super League campaigns.