Hull FC Confirms Coaching Change: Steve McNamara Appointed as John Cartwright Departs

Hull FC has officially announced a significant restructuring of its coaching staff. The Super League club has confirmed that Steve McNamara will take over as head coach beginning next season, while John Cartwright has stepped down from his duties with immediate effect.

A Strategic Transition at Hull FC

The decision to appoint Steve McNamara marks a major development for the Black and Whites. McNamara, 54, brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as head coach for England, Bradford Bulls, and Catalans Dragons. His return to Hull FC is particularly notable given his history with the club, where he began his playing career and made over 160 senior appearances.

To facilitate this transition, Hull FC has reached an agreement with the Warrington Wolves—where McNamara has been serving as an assistant to Sam Burgess—to secure his services. The club confirmed it has agreed to pay a “substantial transfer fee” to enable his departure from his current role.

John Cartwright’s Departure

John Cartwright, who took charge of the team for the 2025 season, has left the club immediately. While the initial plan had been for Cartwright to remain in his position until the conclusion of the current campaign, the club opted for an earlier exit. In a statement, Hull FC noted, “John remains an employee of Hull FC, and the club would like to place on record its sincere thanks for his efforts during his time as head coach at Hull FC.”

Cartwright’s tenure saw a marked improvement from the club’s challenging 2024 season, where the team managed only three Super League victories. Under his leadership, the squad showed increased competitiveness, narrowly missing out on the play-offs last year. However, following recent discussions, the Australian coach expressed his disappointment regarding the circumstances of his departure, stating in an interview with BBC Radio Humberside that he felt “betrayed and disrespected” and that the decision “wasn’t mutual.”

Interim Leadership

With Cartwright’s immediate departure, the club has moved to ensure stability for the remainder of the season. Andy Last, who served as Cartwright’s assistant, has been appointed as the interim head coach. Last will oversee the team’s day-to-day operations and match-day preparations until the end of the current campaign, providing continuity for the playing squad as they navigate the remainder of the Super League schedule.

Key Takeaways

• New Leadership: Steve McNamara will officially take the helm as head coach for the upcoming season.
• Immediate Change: John Cartwright has stepped away from his day-to-day coaching duties effective immediately.
• Interim Plan: Andy Last will lead the team as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.
• Strategic Investment: Hull FC has committed to a substantial transfer fee to bring in McNamara from his role at Warrington Wolves.

As the club looks toward the future, the focus shifts to how the transition under Andy Last will impact the team’s performance on the pitch for the remainder of this year, ahead of the anticipated arrival of McNamara for the next chapter of Hull FC’s journey.