Five potential candidates to take over from Tony Smith as Hull KR boss

The news yesterday that Tony Smith would no longer be in charge of Hull KR at the end of the season rocked Super League.

It appears as well, though, that he took the club by surprise once he announced his exit during his pre-match press conference.

Now, Rovers will need to pick up a boss to continue the good work done by Smith and his coaching staff, but who are they likely to get?

Anthony Seibold

He was the man they were linked with yesterday morning before Smith announced his departure, but Anthony Seibold looks hungry for another head coaching role in rugby league. After a few years’ hiatus following a dismal run with the Brisbane Broncos, Seibold joined Eddie Jones on the England rugby union coaching set-up, but it’s well known that his heart belongs in the 13-a-side code. Would he be tempted by the Hull KR role? Who knows, but The Mole at the World Wide of Sports certainly believes so.

Danny McGuire

Danny McGuire has previously stated that he isn’t ready for a head coaching role, but could he be tempted if the circumstances were right? His mentor in Tony Smith has left, but it’s obvious he would have learned a great deal from Smith during his time at the club. McGuire also knows the club inside and out already which would work in his favour as he is already part of the culture at Craven Park.

Danny Ward

He had been linked with the Leeds Rhinos job, but Danny Ward had only just taken over as boss of rugby union side Rosslyn Park. That being said, the former Rhinos prop may well take over at KR where he would be under less pressure than at Headingley. Ward enjoyed considerable success with the London Broncos, bringing them into Super League and only getting relegated due to points difference. Definitely not one to be sniffed at.

Ryan Carr

Whilst he was linked to the vacancy at Headingley, nothing concrete ever came of it despite the mutual admiration. However, that isn’t to say Ryan Carr would not be lured back to the UK with the promise of coaching a good Super League side. Having impressed greatly at Featherstone Rovers during in his time over here, Carr earned a number of admirers and is certainly well respected Down Under.

Andrew Henderson

Andrew Henderson narrowly missed out on the Castleford Tigers job to Lee Radford last season, but who is to say that he would miss out on the Hull KR job? Young, vibrant and fresh with ideas, Henderson did a stellar job at London Broncos before taking the reins as assistant coach at Warrington Wolves. There, he learnt his trade under Steve Price and most definitely came out the other side a more rounded coach. It would be seen as a risk given his lack of head coaching experience in Super League, but every coach has to start somewhere.