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 began when Cartwright, who had originally signed a three‑year deal intended to run through the end of the 2027 Super League season, was told that his contract would instead be terminated at the close of the 2026 campaign.
Hull's preferred scenario was for Cartwright to finish the current season, after which McNamara – a native of the city – would step in as the long‑term manager. 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 emotionally charged press conference in which he claimed to feel "betrayed" and "disrespected," insisting that he had not been given a clear rationale for the club's decision. Despite the tension, Cartwright still led Hull FC in their subsequent match against Hull KR and St Helens, a 24‑14 defeat at home, before exiting the field to a standing ovation.
Players followed him down the tunnel, creating a scene that blended solidarity with a heartfelt farewell. Shortly after that game, Hull confirmed that Cartwright would no longer fulfil head‑coach duties, although he would remain employed by the organisation in another capacity. The club then officially named Steve McNamara as the successor, signalling a long‑term strategic shift.
Myler said his aim was to give supporters "clarity" about the transition and dismissed rumours that Cartwright had been informed of his dismissal via email. According to the CEO, that narrative is "not strictly true".
He pointed to a brief, face‑to‑face meeting that took place in Cartwright's office on the Monday before the Hull derby. "John and I spoke for about ten minutes in his office," Myler recounted. "My understanding was that we would move in a different direction from 2027, but that he would retain full backing for the remainder of 2026.
I wanted him to hear it directly from the board rather than from speculation in the press." Myler admitted that the message may not have been delivered as clearly as Cartwright needed. He added that after the meeting, he spoke with Andrew Thirkill, who then held a one‑hour phone call with Cartwright to reiterate the club's position and reaffirm their commitment for the 2026 season. "Part of John's contract required us to inform him in writing," Myler explained, "and the suggestion that we did so by email is inaccurate." When questioned about the timing, Myler said Hull could not afford to delay the change given the volatile nature of the Super League coaching market and the availability of McNamara. "The timing is linked to Steve McNamara," he said.
"Steve and I had been discussing his potential move, but it wasn't a done deal because he was still under contract with Warrington, and we had to sort that out first." Myler described the decision‑making process as a race against market forces. He noted that several high‑profile coaching vacancies were opening at the same time: Huddersfield had dismissed Luke Robinson, Leeds were dealing with the Brad Arthur saga, and Willie Peters was set to leave Hull KR. "I saw an assistant coach at Warrington who could be a great fit for us," Myler said. "I didn't want to miss that chance." He warned that postponing the appointment could have alienated the fan base.
"If we waited another year and Steve ended up at Hull KR while we passed on him, our supporters would be extremely annoyed," Myler argued. "The rapid pace of the market forced us to act quickly, and unfortunately that compressed timeline impacted John's situation. Our intention was always to be honest with him, but his reaction forced us to make swift adjustments." In summary, Myler contended that the club acted transparently, albeit under tight time constraints, and that the decision to bring in McNamara was driven by strategic necessity rather than a desire to undermine Cartwright. He emphasized that the organization remains committed to supporting Cartwright through the remainder of his contract and that the new coaching direction aims to position Hull FC competitively for the future.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match this season, offering two exclusive live games each round and covering the remaining fixtures across its channels.