Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith is under increasing pressure as his side fell to another heavy Super League defeat.
The Rhinos were taken apart in the second-half against St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium, eventually falling to a 40-10 defeat.
It was a sixth loss of a disappointing season to date for Leeds, who despite spending big in the off-season look a long way from a team capable of challenging for silverware this season.
After missing out on the play-offs last season, Leeds fans seem to have had enough. Recent matches have seen the fans chant for Smith to be sacked, and that theme continued on Friday night.
In his post-match interview on Sky Sports, the Rhinos boss responded to interviewer Jenna Brooks who asked if Smith if he was starting to feel the pressure and if his job could be at risk.
Smith responded: “I have felt pressure in every coaching job I’ve ever had and in my head nothing has changed.”
Rohan Smith on the brink at Leeds Rhinos?
The questioning on his future continued for Smith in his post-match press conference, with the Australian again batting away suggestions that his job is on the line at Headingley.
“I don’t listen,” said Smith. “I took on the choice as a very young man to chase the coaching dream and as every coach in the job you feel pressure every day to do the best job you can.
“We’re all involved. That stuff (from the fans) makes no difference. I feel the same pressure, win, loss or anything in between.”
There is now a feeling among fans and media that time is up for Smith. Whether that is the case remains to be seen.
Leeds face a run of ‘winnable’ games over the coming weeks, starting with a home clash against local rivals Castleford Tigers next week.
The Tigers defeated Hull FC on Friday night, giving them confidence as they start to build some momentum under head coach Craig Lingard.
But as Castleford begin to move in the right direction, there is a sense that Leeds are going in the wrong one.
Smith might just survive this week, however, defeat to Cas next Saturday in front of the BBC cameras may just be the end of his stint in charge at Headingley.
If the fans had their way, there is no doubt that Leeds Rhinos would be searching for a new head coach this week.
