Hull FC’s chief executive, Richie Myler, has stepped forward to clarify the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit and to outline the rationale behind appointing Steve McNamara as the successor for the 2027 season. Myler stressed that the decision was driven by a desire to act decisively in a turbulent coaching market, rather than any personal slight against Cartwright.
The original agreement with Cartwright was a three‑year contract that would have kept him at the helm through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League campaign. However, the board later informed the Australian coach that his tenure would be curtailed to the end of the 2026 season. The club’s preferred scenario was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara – a Hull native with a strong coaching pedigree – would assume control in 2027.
On April 7, Hull announced that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season. Six days later, the coach held an impassioned press conference, claiming he felt “betrayed” and “disrespected,” and insisting he had not been given a clear explanation for the move. The following week, Cartwright oversaw Hull’s match against Hull KR and St Helens, a 24‑14 home loss, before exiting the field to a standing ovation. Players escorted him down the tunnel, a moment that blended gratitude with a poignant farewell.
Shortly after the game, the club confirmed that Cartwright would no longer serve as head coach, though he would remain employed in another capacity. The board then officially named Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor. Myler said his aim was to provide supporters with “clarity” and to dispel rumors that Cartwright had been notified of his dismissal via email. According to Myler, the narrative that an email was used is “not strictly true.” He described a brief, ten‑minute face‑to‑face conversation that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby.
Myler recounted, “John and I talked about the derby in his office. It was a short conversation, lasting no longer than ten minutes.” He added that his understanding of the discussion was that the club would pursue a different direction starting in 2027, while still offering full support to Cartwright for the 2026 season.
Myler admitted, “Maybe it is a failure on my part that I didn’t deliver that message as clearly as John needed it.” Following that meeting, Myler spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held a one‑hour phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club’s position and reaffirm their commitment through the 2026 season. Myler emphasized that contractual obligations required a written notice, and the suggestion that an email was used was inaccurate.
When questioned about the timing, Myler explained that Hull could not afford to linger in a volatile coaching market, especially given McNamara’s availability. He said, “The timing is linked to Steve McNamara. Steve and I had a conversation where things were progressing very clearly.” Although McNamara was still under contract with Warrington at the time, Hull worked to resolve that situation while aligning both parties on a future move. Myler noted that he deliberately withheld the news of McNamara’s impending appointment from Cartwright until the appropriate moment, fearing that premature disclosure could create unnecessary tension.
He recounted, “John didn’t know about Steve because I didn’t think it was the right thing to do. He was only aware that someone else was being considered.” The rapidity of the transition, Myler argued, was dictated by market dynamics. He pointed to several concurrent coaching shifts: Huddersfield’s dismissal of Luke Robinson, the uncertainty surrounding Brad Arthur at Leeds, and the imminent departure of Willie Peters from Hull KR.
In that context, Myler observed, “I was thinking we needed to act, and I knew there was a capable assistant at Warrington. I didn’t want to miss that opportunity.” He warned that if Hull had delayed, the club might have faced fan backlash similar to what could have happened if McNamara had taken the Hull KR job while Hull missed his availability. Myler said, “If I had let the chance slip, the conversation would be different and our supporters would be extremely annoyed.” Ultimately, Myler concluded that while the timing affected Cartwright’s position, the club’s intention was always to be honest and transparent.
He added, “Given how John responded to the news, we had to act accordingly.” The broader context includes Sky Sports’ commitment to broadcast every Super League game this season, with two matches per round shown exclusively live and the remaining fixtures aired throughout the week. Hull FC’s leadership hopes the coaching change will position the club competitively for the upcoming campaigns, while maintaining respect for Cartwright’s contributions and ensuring stability for the 2026 season.