Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has stepped forward to justify the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit, following the announcement that Steve McNamara will assume the role in 2027. While Cartwright originally signed a three‑year deal intended to last through the 2027 Super League season, the organization later informed the Australian that his contract would actually finish at the close of the 2026 campaign.
The preferred scenario, according to the club, was for Cartwright to see out the current season before handing the reins to McNamara, a native of Hull, in the following year. On April 7, Hull publicly confirmed that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season.
Six days later the coach held an impassioned press conference, declaring that he felt "betrayed" and "disrespected" and insisting he had received no clear explanation for the decision. Despite the tension, Cartwright still led the team in their subsequent fixture against Hull KR and St Helens, a match that ended in a 24‑14 defeat on home soil.
After the final whistle he walked off the pitch to a standing ovation, with several players following him down the tunnel in a poignant display that combined solidarity with a heartfelt farewell. Shortly after that game, the club reiterated that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, although he would remain on the payroll in a different capacity.
The appointment of Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor was then confirmed. Myler explained that his aim was to provide supporters with "clarity" and dismissed rumours that Cartwright had been notified of his dismissal via email. According to Myler, that narrative is "not strictly true".
He said the chief executive had a brief, face‑to‑face conversation with Cartwright in the latter’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby. "It lasted no longer than ten minutes," Myler recalled. "My understanding of that conversation was clear, although John remembered it slightly differently, which has led to the subsequent fallout." Myler continued, "From that meeting we agreed that from 2027 the club would move in a different direction, but he would retain our full support for the 2026 season.
The intention was that he would hear this directly from me and the board, not from a newspaper or speculative article that had been running for months about a replacement he was unaware of." He admitted, "Perhaps I failed to deliver the message as clearly as John needed it." Following the meeting, Myler spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then spent an hour on the phone with Cartwright reiterating the club’s stance and confirming that the organization remained fully committed to him for the remainder of the 2026 season. "Part of John’s contract required us to inform him in writing about the decision. The suggestion that we did so by email is not accurate," Myler emphasized.
When questioned about the timing, Myler said Hull could not afford to delay their strategic shift given the volatile nature of the Super League coaching market, especially with McNamara’s availability on the table. "The timing is linked to Steve McNamara. Steve and I had a conversation where things were progressing very clearly," he noted. He added that the deal was not finalised because McNamara was still under contract with Warrington, and that the clubs were working through that situation.
"We were on the same page that this would happen subject to fine‑tuning," Myler explained. "I was about to travel and thought, if John learns this news while I’m away…" Myler admitted that at the time Cartwright was not aware of McNamara’s potential appointment because he had not disclosed that information, believing it was not the right moment. "He only knew someone else was being considered," Myler said.
"Everything unfolded very quickly. I know Steve’s strengths and what he can bring to an organisation – I saw it first‑hand at Catalans." He pointed to the broader coaching landscape as a factor in the rapid decision.
"If you look at the English coaching market right now, Huddersfield have let Luke Robinson go, Leeds are dealing with Brad Arthur, and the most obvious case is Willie Peters leaving Hull KR. I was thinking we needed a bit more, and I knew there was a guy in an assistant role at Warrington. I didn’t want to miss that chance." Myler warned that if the club had waited another twelve months and McNamara ended up at Hull KR while Hull FC passed on the opportunity, the fan base would have been "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," he said. "Given how he responded to the news, we have had to act accordingly." The club’s communication strategy, according to Myler, was aimed at transparency while navigating a complex market. He concluded that while the situation was painful for all parties, the decision was driven by long‑term planning and the need to secure a coach who could shape Hull FC’s future beyond 2026.