Leeds Rhinos legend Danny McGuire has left Hull KR officially after the conclusion of the 2023 Super League season.
According to reports, he is set to join Castleford Tigers as assistant coach in 2024.
After his surprise exit, McGuire took to social media to make this statement:
“After the announcement this morning just thought I’d pop on here.
“I have absolutely loved my time at Rovers. East Hull had become mine and my family’s second home. In the last six years the club has grown so much, and I feel proud of the role that I played in this as both a player and coach.
“I would just like to say a big thank you to all the fans. You are loyal, passionate and unbelievably supportive. I will miss the roar of the East stand on a Friday night.
Thank you to all of the staff at Craven Park. Lots of fantastic people, who continue to give their all for the club.
“To all the players that I have played alongside and coached, I’ve enjoyed every minute of our journey together. Such a special group and I wish you success going forward.
“Whatever lies ahead for me, I will always give my best, as I always tried to do at KR.”
The club has decided to refresh the first team’s coaching structure, enabling Willie Peters to create his own coaching team.
McGuire first joined the Robins as a player in 2018, helping the side to re-establish themselves in Super League before retiring at the end of the 2019 season.
Following his retirement, Danny helped to lay the foundations for the Robins’ progression in recent years, overseeing the club’s player recruitment. From that role, the Leeds’ native became Assistant Coach under Tony Smith ahead of the 2021 season.
At the end of the 2022 season, McGuire became the Robins’ Interim Head Coach, helping to stabilise the side after the departure of Tony Smith and then Assistant Head Coach under Willie Peters this season.
‘I’d like to thank Danny for his contributions to Hull KR this season. I wish Danny and his family every success in the future,’ said Hull KR Head Coach, Willie Peters.
‘Danny has played a key role in the club’s journey to becoming a top Super League club,’ said Hull KR Chief Executive, Paul Lakin.
‘We will always be grateful for Danny’s contributions as a player and then during his three seasons as Assistant Head Coach, particularly as Interim Head Coach during a difficult time for the club. We’d like to wish Danny all the best for the next chapter in his coaching journey.’
The Tigers are set to announce their new head coach soon.
This is believed to be Craig Lingard who finished last year as assistant coach and has now fully left Batley Bulldogs.
He, unlike a new coach, has also been involved in recruitment and has been key to a couple signings such Luke Hooley.
Hooley began playing Rugby at amateur side, Dewsbury Moor before moving to Bradford Bulls’ academy at just 16. He joined Batley Bulldogs in 2020 and played in the 2022 Championship Grand Final with Lingard at the helm.
In 2023, Hooley joined Leeds Rhinos and made his Super League debut in March. While at Leeds, Luke went on loan back to Batley and featured in this year’s 1895 Cup Final.
Hooley joins the Fords with the goal of being a regular in Super League, and has set his sights on cementing his spot at the Jungle.
“I’m buzzing it’s finally done and I can focus on a massive 2024 pre-season for me personally and can look forward to the season ahead. I’m always grateful to Leeds for my debut and 8 games under my belt so now my goal is to nail down a weekly spot in a super league team.”
“He’s done a lot for me Craig (Lingard) and I can’t thank him enough, he gave me my shot at Batley and I took that opportunity with both hands, I’m expecting to do the same at Castleford with him as the Assistant. ”
“The Cas fans can expect me to give everything, try my best at everything I do and work hard for the team hopefully scoring some more tries.”
Former Batley teammate Josh Hodson is also making the move.
Hodson joins the Fords from Batley Bulldogs where he has featured 55 times since his move from London Broncos in 2021. Hodson is a centre, who has scored 24 tries for the Bulldogs in 54 appearances. He possesses speed, force and trickery to finish off tries in different ways.
Josh also played underLingard at Batley and was part of the side that reached the Championship Grand Final and the 1895 Cup Final.
Josh spoke to the club and is excited to be stepping back up to a full-time environment and is ready and raring to go in the Super League.
“I’m very happy! It’s an exciting time for myself to be joining a club like Castleford. I can’t wait to get started. I want to challenge myself and come up from the Championship and see how I handle myself in Super League.”
“It’s going to be very helpful working with Lingard as the assistant coach. I’ve worked with him at Batley so he understands how I work as a player. Hopefully that will allow me to develop further. Linners spoke highly of the club when we spoke and he was telling me about the set up of the club before I signed.”
“I’m glad to be back in a full time environment and giving myself the time to develop. I’ll be giving it my all. I like to carry the ball. I’m not going to be holding back and I’ll give it everything I’ve got to take the opportunity with both hands.”
Thus, Lingard makes a smart appointment.
