Hull FC Appoint John Cartwright as New Head Coach
On the morning of [DATE], reports emerged that Hull FC have found their new head coach, finally ending one of the long-standing sagas in Super League. After an extensive search, Hull FC’s director of rugby, Richie Myler, has secured the services of John Cartwright, who will sign a long-term contract to join the Black and Whites for the 2025 season.
According to sources in Australia, Cartwright is set to pen a three-year deal at the MKM Stadium. Myler has faced numerous setbacks in his quest for a new head coach, with Salford Red Devils’ boss, Paul Rowley, the first to turn down the role. FC have since been linked with several high-profile names, including Brian McDermott, Lee Briers, and Adrian Lam, but these candidates were either committed to their current roles or had recently signed new contracts elsewhere.
“While Cartwright may not have been the first choice for the casual observer, he is a coach with significant experience in the NRL, having enjoyed a successful playing career at the top level.”
The 58-year-old featured in 184 games for the Penrith Panthers and earned 18 test caps for Australia. After retiring, he worked as an assistant coach at Penrith and the Sydney Roosters before securing his first head coaching role with the Gold Coast Titans, where he spent seven years.
During his tenure with the Titans, Cartwright led the team to the end-of-season play-offs on two occasions, in 2009 and 2010, and even reached the preliminary final in 2010. However, he also experienced the low point of guiding the Titans to their first wooden spoon in 2011, when they finished bottom of the NRL table.
Since leaving the Gold Coast, Cartwright has gained further experience as an assistant coach with some of the biggest clubs in the NRL, including the North Queensland Cowboys when they won the NRL Grand Final in 2015, the Manly Sea Eagles, and his current club, the Brisbane Broncos, where he joined ahead of the 2021 season.
Cartwright is known for his hands-on coaching style, preferring to work closely with his players on a day-to-day basis. As he takes on the challenge of turning around a Hull FC side that has lacked leadership and direction, he will need to draw on all of his experience to achieve success at the MKM Stadium.
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