Hull FC chief executive Richie Myler has stepped forward to clarify the club’s handling of John Cartwright’s exit after confirming that Steve McNamara will assume the head‑coach role in 2027. The situation has generated a flurry of speculation, and Myler’s comments aim to provide a transparent narrative for supporters, players and the wider rugby league community.
Cartwright originally signed a three‑year agreement that was slated to run through the conclusion of the 2027 Super League season. However, the board later informed the Australian coach that his contract would be terminated a year early, at the close of the 2026 campaign. The club’s initial plan was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara – a native of Hull – would take the reins from the start of the 2027 season.
On April 7, Hull announced that Cartwright would depart at the end of the Betfred Super League season. Six days later the coach delivered a passionate press conference, describing himself as "betrayed" and "disrespected" and insisting he had received no clear justification for the decision. The emotional fallout was palpable when Cartwright oversaw Hull FC’s match against Hull KR and St Helens, a 24‑14 defeat at home.
After the final whistle he walked off the field to a standing ovation, and several players followed him down the tunnel, a poignant mix of solidarity and farewell. Shortly after the match, the club confirmed that Cartwright would no longer serve as head coach, though he would remain employed in another capacity. The announcement also confirmed that McNamara would be the long‑term successor. Myler emphasised that the club wanted to give fans "clarity" and rejected rumours that Cartwright had been informed of his dismissal via email.
According to Myler, that version of events is "not strictly true". He pointed to a brief, face‑to‑face discussion that took place in Cartwright’s office on the Monday before the Hull derby.
"John and I talked for about ten minutes about the upcoming derby," Myler recalled. "My understanding was that the conversation made it clear that from 2027 the club would head in a different direction. He still had our full support for the 2026 season, and we wanted him to hear that directly from us rather than from a newspaper or speculative article." Myler admitted that his delivery may not have been as explicit as John needed.
"Perhaps I failed to convey the message as clearly as John required," he said. He added that after the meeting 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 for the remaining year. Regarding the claim that the notice was sent by email, Myler stressed that the contract stipulated a written notification, but the method was not an email; it was a formal written letter delivered in person.
When asked why the club moved so quickly, Myler explained that the Super League coaching market is highly volatile, and Hull could not afford to linger. The timing was directly linked to Steve McNamara’s availability. "Steve and I had a series of conversations where the progress was unmistakable," Myler said. "It wasn’t a simple hand‑over because Steve was still under contract with Warrington at the time, and we had to sort out those details first." Myler described the decision‑making process as a delicate balancing act.
He did not want Cartwright to learn of the impending change while he was away on holiday, fearing it would cause unnecessary disruption. At the moment of the discussion, Cartwright was unaware of McNamara’s candidacy; he only knew that the club was considering an alternative. "The news unfolded very quickly," Myler noted.
"I know Steve’s strengths and what he can bring to an organisation – I witnessed his impact at Catalans." The rapidity of the transition, Myler argued, was dictated by market conditions. He cited recent coaching movements: Huddersfield’s dismissal of Luke Robinson, Brad Arthur’s uncertain future at Leeds, and the high‑profile exit of Willie Peters from Hull KR. "I was aware there were several openings, and I didn’t want to miss a chance to secure a coach I trusted," Myler said.
He added that if McNamara had taken the Hull KR job a year later, the club would have faced a very different conversation with its fan base, which would likely have been "extremely annoyed". Myler concluded by acknowledging that the timing inevitably affected Cartwright’s position, but insisted the intention had always been honesty. "We wanted to be straightforward with John," he said.
"Given his reaction to the news, we had to act in the best interest of the club and its supporters." The broader context of the Super League this season includes a new broadcasting arrangement with Sky Sports, which will air every game live, offering two exclusive matches each round and broadcasting the remaining five fixtures weekly. This increased exposure adds pressure on clubs to present a stable and forward‑looking coaching structure, further motivating Hull’s decision to secure McNamara early.
Overall, Myler’s statements aim to paint a picture of a club navigating a complex coaching market, trying to balance respect for a departing coach with the strategic imperative of securing a long‑term successor. While the transition has been emotionally charged for Cartwright and his supporters, the leadership believes that the move positions Hull FC for sustained competitiveness in the coming seasons.