“Disappointing” – Adam Pearson on Tony Smith’s Hull FC tenure

Hull FC Chairman Adam Pearson and exiled boss Tony Smith both used the word “disappointing” in describing Smith’s tenure in charge at the club.

Smith and Airlie Birds parted company on Thursday morning, with the club 11^th in Super League with only one win to their name in 2024.

Consecutive 50-point defeats to Huddersfield Giants were the catalyst to Smith losing his job, with the continuous poor performances under the experienced head coach highlighting the issues at a troubled club.

Smith’s tenure went in a similar path to that of previous boss Brett Hodgson, with not just losing matches the issue, but more the manner of them, with FC and the players seemingly throwing in the towel in many games.

Adam Pearson explains Tony Smith exit

Regular heavy defeats have seen Hull fans become disillusioned with the club and their plans going forward, with Smith unable to stop a theme of in-game capitulations.

A number of embarrassing defeats required Smith to come out and defend his own personal coaching record, along with the attitude of his players – results don’t lie though, this was only ever going to end one way.

Pearson thanked Smith and assistant Stanley Gene for “their contribution to the club during their time with the first team”, stating that the duo have “worked tirelessly and it is disappointing to have had to come to this decision”.

However, the Black and Whites Chairman went on to admit it was the “right time” to part ways with Smith with “further restructuring of the club to be announced in the coming days”.

Fans will now await an update from Pearson and the club, with talk to be focused on who Smith’s replacement will be in the FC hot seat.

Can anyone stop the rot at Hull FC?

As Smith went the same way as Lee Radford and Brett Hodgson in been relieved of his duties by the club, he couldn’t help but hide his dismay at the decision stating “it is disappointing not to see the job through”.

He added that the Hull FC job “was always going to be a challenging project” and that he “was relishing the opportunity to see it through”.

The truth is though, Smith, like the aforementioned Radford and Hodgson, never really stood a chance with a playing group who now have a history of downing tools consistently during games.

Whoever comes through the door next at Hull has one tough job on their hands. The FC hot seat is starting to look like an impossible job so it will be a brave man to take it on and risk falling through the trap door.

Unless this group of players step up and the culture changes quickly, it’s hard to see much changing. However, the right coaching appointment could change everything – this is a decision Adam Pearson has to get right.