“Told it was a done deal” – Jon Wilkin stunned Paul Rowley rejected Hull FC

Hull FC received a blow this week, as Paul Rowley turned down the opportunity to take over as head coach at the MKM Stadium. The current Salford head coach seemed set to make the move across the Pennines, with a transfer fee reportedly agreed.

However, Rowley elected to stay in Salford. This left new Hull Director of Rugby, Richie Myler, empty handed in the hunt for his first head coach.

Wilkin – Rowley to Hull FC was a done deal

Now, speaking on The Verdict, Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has expressed his shock that the deal has not gone through. According to Wilkin, a number of reliable sources thought the move was going to happen.

“I was told by two or three people I really trust that it was a done deal. Paul Rowley was the new Hull FC coach.

“I thought, wow, what a piece of recruitment… we wax lyrical all the time about his coaching prowess and his abilities.”

According to Wilkin, Rowley rejecting the Black and Whites is a worrying sign for the club.

“You would expect Paul Rowley to jump at the opportunity to coach a massive club like Hull. The concern for me is that given that option he chose not to go.

“Now what does that say about Hull and where Hull are at? And when it comes to recruiting coaches, it’s not like there’s just a plethora of amazing coaches out there that you can just go and cherry pick your best ones.

“If Paul Rowley was their man, I think it’s terrible that they haven’t got him and more a reflection of where their clubs are at the minute.”

Major Boost for Red Devils

Wilkin admitted that he was worried for Salford’s future when the news broke. The side have confounded expectations that they would struggle this season and remain in contention for the play offs. This is despite losing a number of key players in the off-season. Most notably, the double transfer of Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft to Leeds Rhinos.

“I felt for Salford, well, it was just an awful position for them because they’ve shipped off a lot of their great players, they’re in special measures financially and I thought well losing a head coach like Paul Rowley could be such a bad sign for Salford.

“Well, isn’t it funny it’s just flipped. Now Salford, for people who don’t know, probably perceived as one of the smaller clubs they’ve had the financial struggles but with the resources that they’ve got they do very well.

“But great news… for Ian Blease and Salford that they’ve managed to keep the man, Paul.”

Hull FC’s search for a head coach continues to rumble on. A number of high-profile names are reportedly in the frame, including Warrington legend Lee Briers.