Ex-Super League boss Craig Lingard lands new head coach role after Cas axing

Craig Lingard has been snapped up and appointed head coach of a Championship club after being sacked by Super League side Castleford Tigers.

Lingard’s axing was somewhat of a shock with the former Batley boss very well thought of by the fans at Castleford Tigers, however, he lasted just one season in charge of the Super League outfit.

His axing came in the days after investor Martin Jepson assumed control of nearly 100% of the club with the move seen as Jepson stamping his identity on the club.

Danny McGuire would quickly be appointed as head coach, ascending from his role as assistant coach and now, over a month on Craig Lingard has landed a new job.

Championship side Sheffield Eagles have appointed the 46-year-old as their head coach in an immediate return to rugby league for Lingard who had previously taken charge of Batley Bulldogs in 2019, turning them into a consistent Championship side.

Sheffield Eagles appoint former Super League head coach

It’s quite the coup for the Eagles to land the former Super League man who will have surely been a name to watch when the next job in the top flight became available.

Sheffield had been without a head coach after previous boss Mark Aston had been stood down pending an RFL investigation which would find him guilty and suspend him from any activity that had influence over team selection for 18 months, effectively banning him from serving as a head coach.

Aston has since been appointed to a temporary new role before moving into a Director of Rugby role at the time his ban is either completed or overturned.

That’s cleared the path for a head coach appointment and the Eagles have acted quickly to make sure they got their man in Craig Lingard.

A club statement confirmed the appointment, reading: “Sheffield Eagles are delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Lingard as the club’s new Head Coach.

“It’s an immediate return to Rugby League for Lingard, who joins the Eagles following a season in charge last year at Castleford Tigers in the Betfred Super League.”

Speaking on his new job, Lingard said: “I’m really pleased to be here, I’m excited to get going and see what next season can bring for the club.

“I want to be at a club that is ambitious, and at a club that can see themselves in the longer-term pushing for Super League.

“I really feel that my ambitions align along with the club, and I can’t wait to get going and meet the boys.”