Wakefield Trinity ran riot at Belle Vue today as they scored eight tries in a brilliant performance against an under par Warrington Wolves and just hours after the final hooter it’s been confirmed that Daryl Powell has been sacked by the club.
Powell joined ahead of the 2022 season with the club experiencing a very rough season, finishing eleventh and finding themselves in a relegation battle with Toulouse at one point.
By contract 2023 started brilliantly with the Wire winning their opening eight games of the season which cemented them firmly at the top of the Super League ladder, but since then they’ve won just three of twelve in the league with their current losing streak set at six.
That’s why the club have decided to remove Powell in an attempt to potentially save their season.
The club confirmed the news via their website as they released a statement.
“Warrington Wolves can confirm that Daryl Powell has left his position as Head Coach by mutual consent along with Assistant Ryan Sheridan.
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“The Club will now begin the process of selecting a new Head Coach with Gary Chambers in interim charge, supported by Richard Marshall, until an appointment is made.
“Warrington Wolves Chairman Stuart Middleton said: “We’d like to thank Daryl for his commitment and endeavours since joining the club last season but we feel the team now needs a different approach.
“Results and performances over the past 18 months have fallen short of the standard we expect and feel the club now needs to move in a new direction.
“We will now begin a thorough process to select a new Head Coach to take the club forward.
“We still firmly believe this playing group have the ability to compete at the highest level.”
As expected the late evening announcement has sent social media into a frenzy, particularly given that at the final hooter earlier many fans were calling for his dismissal anyway.
— Chris Waterworth (@ChrisWaterworth) July 30, 2023
There were immediate jokes linking former St Helens boss Justin Holbrook with the vacancy.
Another coach at Warrington fails. Another load of money spent with nothing to show for it.
At what point do the Warrington board think whether its actions are responsible for a decade of underachievement? #RugbyLeague https://t.co/1tMw7WCPlp
— The Tryline 🏉 (@TrylineUK) July 30, 2023
Others questioned the board rather than Powell.
Terrible way to treat a man who guided them to their first Super League title in April. https://t.co/w5drQySXZn
— Ste Norris (@spn245) July 30, 2023
Hope there taking league leaders shield off him what they won in march 🙄 https://t.co/mydqdQvMYU
— Gavin Taylor 🦏 (@flatbeatlufc) July 30, 2023
A recurring joke revolved around the incredible start that Powell led the team to in 2023.
PS @CTRLFC – that’s how you make a fast decision when the coach is failing.
Why are we waiting and waiting? Suck up the pride, admit you got it wrong and pull the trigger now & make the change it desperately needs.
— Mark F (@Pleyndamour) July 30, 2023
Others likened the situation to that at Castleford.
Get on the phone and get him back @CTRLFC https://t.co/IFy5tRnPmQ
— Fatboy_Rob (@Fatboy_Rob) July 30, 2023
And others want him back at Cas.
🔵🟡 Daryl Powell has left Warrington Wolves after today's 42-6 defeat to Wakefield, Wire's sixth defeat in a row…@Six_Again | @Betfred | #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/cM1zOOaiqR
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) July 30, 2023
Did Warrington make the right decision based on these stats?