Paul Rowley has been confirmed as the brand new head coach of St Helens on a three-year contract.
The 50-year-old, most lately in control of financially-stricken Salford Crimson Devils between 2022 and 2025, replaces Paul Wellens on the Saints helm after the latter’s contract was not renewed by the Tremendous League membership.
Former England worldwide Rowley has beforehand additionally had spells in control of Leigh and Toronto.
“It’s a great privilege to be joining St Helens, and to come to an environment and organisation that’s solid and proven in success,” Rowley stated.
“It looks like an thrilling problem for me, completely different in lots of respects, and I will be seeking to step in to place my very own stamp on issues with constructive modifications and have an actual affect.
“I am coming in with an open thoughts and new concepts, however I need to study all of the individuals concerned on the membership – and I imply everybody, from the boardroom, all of the workers, and the supporters. Then I will again my judgment and expertise, seeking to progress, transfer ahead and, in the end, win issues.
“Saints have set the benchmark for years within the bodily battle. I need to work with that basis, retain it, add extra choices in assault, and maintain groups guessing. Being a high workforce in Tremendous League means it’s important to maintain evolving, and with the way in which I need to play, I imagine St Helens’ defence will permit me so as to add one other layer to what Saints do very well.
“This is a squad that is evolving with young, talented players coming to the fore, who I’m really excited to work with, and who we will be patient with. That is something I am sure will continue to be the cornerstone of St Helens going forward, and wanting to bring the best out of them is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Chairman Eamonn McManus added: “We warmly welcome Paul Rowley as our new head coach. He is both experienced and talented, and we feel that he is now ready to coach a leading club such as St Helens.
“He’s properly conscious of our aims and our ambitions, and we think about that he’s able to reaching them.
“I’m sure that our fans will get behind him as we seek to get back to the top of the Super League competition. We wish him every success.”
St Helens half methods with Wellens after deciding to not renew his contract
The choice to half with Wellens got here after Saints’ Tremendous League play-off semi-final defeat to Hull KR, with their season then over and Wellens’ contract subsequently up.
Wellens was knowledgeable by his boyhood membership they might not be persevering with with him in cost and would go in a distinct course.
McManus stated on the time: “Paul’s contribution to the historical past of our membership has been the ultimate.
“As a player, he won every honour available in our sport and was at the epicentre of our incredible success story during his 17-year playing career at the Saints.
“Who can ever overlook his on-field response as our captain on the finish of our 2014 Grand Remaining victory over Wigan. It epitomised his devotion to the Saints and encapsulated his lifelong ardour and dedication to our membership and to this city.
“As head coach, he started his career with the greatest achievement in our over 150-year history when he led us to victory over Penrith Panthers to win the World Club Challenge on Australian soil in 2023.
“He has since dedicated his life in each solution to the membership as our head coach. He has at all times executed so with professionalism, dignity, and sophistication. He is been a supreme ambassador to our membership and to our sport.
“It has therefore been the most difficult decision to make, but we have now decided to move in a new direction and to appoint a new head coach. We now begin that search.
“Paul will nonetheless be a part of the material of our membership and can at all times be warmly welcomed by everybody and always. We want him each success in his future profession and want him and his household solely properly.”
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Jon Wilkin stated St Helens had been irresponsible to present Paul Wellens the highest job on the membership so early on in his teaching profession
Wellens added: “Following a meeting with the club, I have been informed that they will be looking to appoint a new head coach for the 2026 season.
“While I am naturally disillusioned that my time on the membership will probably be coming to an finish, I additionally respect that call and wish to thank Eamonn for his honesty in what I do know would have been a particularly troublesome dialog. We’ve got developed an in depth working relationship for one of the best a part of 25 years, and regardless of the troublesome nature of such discussions, our friendship stays very a lot intact.”
