Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has stepped forward to justify the club’s handling of head coach John Cartwright’s exit after confirming that Steve McNamara will assume the role in 2027. The situation, which has generated considerable debate among supporters, revolves around a contractual amendment that effectively shortened Cartwright’s three‑year agreement – originally intended to run through the close of the 2027 Super League season – to finish at the end of the 2026 campaign. The board’s original plan was to allow Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara would take over as the new head coach of his hometown club in 2027. On April 7, Hull announced that Cartwright would depart at the conclusion of the Betfred Super League season.
Six days later, the Australian coach held an emotional press conference in which he claimed to feel “betrayed” and “disrespected,” insisting he had not been given a clear explanation for the decision. Cartwright’s final match in charge was the derby against Hull KR, a 24‑14 defeat at home to St Helens. After the final whistle he walked off the pitch to a standing ovation, with several players following him down the tunnel – a poignant moment that blended solidarity with a heartfelt farewell. Shortly after the derby, Hull confirmed that Cartwright would no longer perform head‑coach duties, though he would remain employed by the club in a different capacity.
The organization then officially named McNamara as the long‑term successor. Myler said his primary aim was to give supporters “clarity” about the situation and dismissed rumours that Cartwright had been informed of his dismissal via email.
According to Myler, that narrative is “not strictly true.” He pointed instead to a brief, ten‑minute face‑to‑face meeting that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby. “My understanding of that conversation was clear,” Myler explained. “John recalled it slightly differently, and that discrepancy has fueled the subsequent media coverage.” He added that the meeting’s purpose was to convey that, starting in 2027, the club intended to move in a new direction, while still offering full support for Cartwright throughout the 2026 season.
Myler stressed that the board wanted Cartwright to hear the news directly from them rather than from speculative press articles that had been circulating for months. He admitted, however, that the message may not have been delivered as plainly as required.
“Perhaps it is a failure on my part that I didn’t deliver that message as clearly as John needed it,” Myler said. Following the initial discussion, he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held an hour‑long phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club’s stance and reaffirm its commitment to him for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Myler also clarified that the contract stipulated a written notice of the decision, and that the suggestion of an email notification was inaccurate. When asked about the timing of the decision, Myler explained that Hull could not afford to wait in a volatile coaching market, especially given McNamara’s availability. “The timing is linked to Steve McNamara,” he said. “Steve and I had a conversation where things were progressing very clearly.” He noted that the move was not a foregone conclusion because McNamara was still under contract with Warrington at the time, and negotiations needed to be finalised.
Myler added that he deliberately kept the news from Cartwright while he was away, believing it would be inappropriate to reveal the plan prematurely. “John was only aware that someone else was being considered,” Myler clarified. Myler highlighted the rapid pace of events, attributing it to the current dynamics of the English coaching market.
He referenced recent developments such as Huddersfield’s dismissal of Luke Robinson, the uncertain future of Brad Arthur at Leeds, and the imminent departure of Willie Peters from Hull KR. “I was thinking we needed to act quickly,” Myler said.
“There was a promising assistant at Warrington, and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity.” He warned that failing to secure McNamara could have left Hull in a precarious position a year later, with McNamara potentially leading Hull KR and the club missing out on a valuable asset. “If that had happened, our fans would have been extremely annoyed,” Myler admitted.
In summary, Myler asserted that the decision was made in good faith, with the intention of being transparent with Cartwright. He acknowledged that the way Cartwright responded forced the club to act swiftly, but maintained that the overarching goal was to position Hull FC for future success. The CEO concluded by emphasizing that the club’s priority remains the long‑term stability and competitiveness of the team, and that securing a coach of McNamara’s calibre was a strategic move that could not be ignored.
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