Hull FC’s chief executive, Richie Myler, has stepped forward to explain the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit and the appointment of Steve McNamara as his successor in 2027. Myler highlighted that the club’s priority was to provide clarity for supporters while navigating a rapidly shifting coaching market in the Super League. Cartwright had originally signed a three‑year contract that was meant to run through the end of the 2027 Super League season. However, the organization informed the Australian coach that his agreement would be terminated a year early, concluding at the close of the 2026 campaign.
The plan, according to Hull FC, was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara would assume the head‑coach role at his hometown club starting in 2027. The club announced on 7 April that Cartwright would depart after the Betfred Super League season. Six days later, the coach held a fiery press conference, claiming he felt “betrayed” and “disrespected” because he had not been given a clear reason for the decision.
Despite the tension, Cartwright led Hull FC in their next match against Hull KR and St Helens, a 24‑14 loss at home, before exiting the field to a standing ovation. Players followed him down the tunnel, creating a scene that blended solidarity with a poignant farewell. Shortly after the game, Hull confirmed that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, although he would remain employed by the club in another capacity.
Steve McNamara was then officially named as the long‑term successor. Myler said his aim was to give fans “clarity” about the situation and dismissed rumors that Cartwright had been informed of his dismissal via email.
According to Myler, the narrative that the coach received the news in an impersonal email is “not strictly true.” He explained that a brief, ten‑minute face‑to‑face conversation took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby. “John and I spoke about the derby in his office.
It was a short conversation, no longer than ten minutes,” Myler recounted. He added that while he believed the message was clear, Cartwright recalled it differently, which contributed to the subsequent public dispute. Myler continued, “From that meeting, the understanding was that from 2027 the club would move in a different direction.
He still had our full support for 2026. The intention was for him to hear it directly from me and the board, not from a newspaper or speculation about a replacement.” He admitted, “Perhaps I failed to deliver that message as clearly as John needed it.” After the meeting, Myler spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then spent an hour on the phone with Cartwright, reiterating the club’s commitment to him for the 2026 season.
Myler emphasized that contractual obligations required a written notice, not an email, and that the email story was inaccurate. When asked about the timing, Myler said Hull could not afford to delay the transition given the volatility of the Super League coaching market and McNamara’s availability. “The timing is linked to Steve McNamara. Steve and I had a conversation where things were progressing very clearly,” he explained.
The deal with McNamara was not final at first because he was still under contract with Warrington, and Hull needed to sort out that situation. “My thought was, if John finds out this news while I’m away, it could cause unnecessary disruption,” Myler said.
He noted that at the time Cartwright was unaware of McNamara’s involvement because Myler chose not to reveal that detail, believing it was not the right moment. “He only knew that someone else was being considered,” Myler added. Myler praised McNamara’s strengths, citing his work at Catalans as evidence of what he could bring to Hull FC.
He also pointed to the broader coaching landscape: Huddersfield had dismissed Luke Robinson, Leeds were dealing with Brad Arthur, and Willie Peters was set to leave Hull KR. “I was thinking we needed a bit more, and there was a guy in an assistant role at Warrington.
I didn’t want to miss that opportunity,” Myler explained. He warned that if the club had let the chance slip, the fan base would be “extremely annoyed.” The rapid market movements forced Hull’s hand, and while the timeline unfortunately affected Cartwright’s position, the club’s intention was to be honest with him. “Given how he responded to the news, we had to act accordingly,” Myler concluded. The episode underscores the challenges clubs face in balancing contractual obligations, coaching talent acquisition, and fan expectations in a competitive league.
Hull FC’s leadership believes the decision, though painful for Cartwright, positions the club to capitalize on McNamara’s expertise and remain competitive in the coming seasons. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match this season, offering fans extensive coverage of the league’s developments.