Following Daryl Powell’s dismissal from Warrington Wolves after defeat to Wakefield Trinity on Sunday the club set about an immediate head coach search, with ex St Helens boss Justin Holbrook top of the list.
Warrington interviewed Holbrook and tabled an offer but that’s been rejected with the former Gold Coast Titans boss now confirmed as linking up with Sydney Roosters for 2024.
As such a new betting favourite has emerged, as well as a shock contender with the Daily Telegraph reporting that Sam Burgess is on the list of candidates for Warrington to consider, but the man or men at the top of the market are Anthony Griffin and Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley.
That’s per Betfred, the Super League’s official betting partner, who have made both men 3/1 joint favourites with Newcastle Knights boss Adam O’Brien tight behind at 7/2.
If Warrington were able to land Rowley it would be a huge coup for them, not only a major shot in the arm for the team after they’ve slipped from first to sixth, but it would also take away the head coach of their nearest rivals with the Red Devils just one place and two points behind them.
Speaking midweek on the Rugby League Verdict live on Sky Sports News, Jon Wilkin suggested that he had heard murmurings of such a move.
“I think the last few weeks a name that’s been mentioned to me quite often by a number of sources is Paul Rowley from Salford,” Wilkin explained.
“I know that won’t go down very well with people at Salford but obviously he’s doing a cracking job there.”
Rowley is currently on a six game losing streak and with the club having sold star young forward Tyler Dupree there are concerns at the AJ Bell, but Kevin Brown is another man who has supported the idea of Rowley going to the Halliwell Jones.
Speaking on the Sportsman’s ‘Last Tackle’ show, the former Warrington playmaker advocated for a senior coach and referenced Rowley as a potential candidate.
“I think they need a senior coach who’s been around the block, a Shaun Wane, a Paul Rowley, a Wayne Bennett, could they entice him over? They need someone who’s the biggest person out there.”
With today being the player registration deadline and plenty of moves expected to happen, could we see a shock head coach switch as well?
