Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has publicly defended the club’s handling of John Cartwright’s exit after confirming that Steve McNamara will assume the head‑coach role in 2027. The situation, which has generated considerable debate among supporters and pundits, revolves around a contract that was originally intended to keep Cartwright at the helm until the close of the 2027 Super League season. In a surprising turn of events, the club informed the Australian coach that his agreement would instead be terminated at the end of the 2026 campaign. The board’s initial plan was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara – a native of Hull – would take over as the long‑term leader of the team.
On April 7, Hull FC announced that Cartwright would depart at the conclusion of the Betfred Super League season. Six days later, the head coach addressed the media in a highly emotional press conference, describing his feelings of betrayal and disrespect and insisting that he had received no clear explanation for the club’s decision. Despite the tension, Cartwright led Hull FC in their subsequent match against Hull KR and St Helens, a game 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 display that felt both like a collective show of solidarity and a heartfelt farewell.
Shortly after that emotional scene, the club confirmed that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, although he would remain employed by Hull FC in a different capacity. The organization then officially named Steve McNamara as the long‑term successor, a move that Myler said was intended to give supporters clarity and to dispel rumors that Cartwright had been notified of his dismissal via email. Myler emphasized that the narrative about an email notification was "not strictly true." He clarified that the discussion had taken place face‑to‑face in Cartwright’s office on the Monday preceding the Hull derby. "John and I talked for about ten minutes in his office about the upcoming derby," Myler recounted.
"My understanding of that conversation was clear, but John seemed to recall it differently, which has contributed to the confusion that has since emerged." According to Myler, the core message from that meeting was that the club would pursue a different direction starting in 2027. He stressed that Cartwright retained the full backing of the board for the 2026 season and that the intention was for him to hear the news directly from the executive team, not from a newspaper or speculative article that had been circulating for months about a potential replacement. Myler admitted that the delivery of the message might not have been as precise as required.
"Perhaps it was a failure on my part that I didn’t convey the information as clearly as John needed," he said. He added that after the initial discussion, he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held a lengthy phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club’s stance and reaffirm its commitment to him through the 2026 season. Myler noted that the contract stipulated a written notice of the decision, and the claim that this was done via email was inaccurate. When questioned about the timing of the decision, Myler explained that Hull FC could not afford to delay its plans 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," he said. "Steve and I had several conversations where the progress was becoming very clear." He further clarified that the arrangement was not a simple hand‑over because McNamara was still under contract with Warrington at the time, and the club needed to resolve that situation before finalising the appointment.
"We were aligned that this would happen, subject to some fine‑tuning," Myler explained. "I was traveling, and I worried that John might learn about the decision while I was away. At that point, John didn’t know about Steve because I hadn’t told him – I didn’t think it was the right moment. He only knew that someone else was being considered." Myler highlighted the rapid pace of events, attributing it to the broader coaching market dynamics.
He pointed out that Huddersfield had recently dismissed Luke Robinson, Leeds were dealing with the Brad Arthur saga, and Willie Peters was set to leave Hull KR. "I was thinking we needed to act quickly, and I knew there was a promising assistant coach at Warrington. I didn’t want to miss that chance," Myler said. He warned that had he ignored the opportunity, the club would likely be facing a very different conversation with its fanbase, which would be "extremely annoyed" at a perceived lack of ambition.
"I didn’t want to miss an opportunity," Myler reiterated. "The timeline unfortunately affected John’s position, but our intention was to be honest with him. Given his reaction to the news, we had to respond accordingly." The broader context of the decision reflects the competitive environment of the Super League, where clubs are constantly scouting for coaching talent to gain a strategic edge. Myler’s comments suggest that Hull FC’s leadership felt a sense of urgency to secure McNamara, whose previous successes – notably his tenure with Catalans Dragons – demonstrated his ability to develop a winning culture.
While the club has faced criticism for the way the transition was handled, Myler maintains that the primary goal was to provide transparency to supporters and to avoid prolonged speculation. He hopes that the clear line of succession will allow Hull FC to focus on on‑field performance and to build a cohesive plan for the upcoming seasons. Fans can continue to follow Hull FC’s progress through Sky Sports, which will broadcast every Super League match live this season, including two exclusive live fixtures each round and additional coverage of five matches per week. The club’s management remains optimistic that the new coaching structure will bring stability and success, and they are committed to keeping supporters informed as the 2026 season unfolds.