Daryl Powell’s sacking by Warrington Wolves last night came following a six game losing run for the club culminating with the heavy 42-6 defeat to Wakefield Trinity being the final straw.
It was a brutal loss for the Wolves with bottom of the table Trinity putting them to the sword for almost all of the 80 minutes and with little resistance.
The players left the field at both half time and full time to a chorus of boos with the margin of defeat contributing to Warrington slipping down the table to sixth on points difference, leaving them just two points ahead of the chasing pack of Salford Red Devils, Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC.
The news of Powell’s dismissal came at 9pm with the club releasing the following statement to their website.
“Warrington Wolves can confirm that Daryl Powell has left his position as Head Coach by mutual consent along with Assistant Ryan Sheridan.
“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.”
Speculation as to who will replace Powell has already begun, particularly given Middleton’s above statement which states that they will begin the process to select a new Head Coach immediately.
One man who is out of a job at the moment and highly regarded in Super League is former St Helens boss Justin Holbrook and he’s already been touted for the job by renowned Aussie journo ‘The Mole’.
Despite this an NRL club had spoken with Holbrook in the recent days it was confirmed, that being Newcastle Knights, however there has now been an update which has cleared the path for Warrington to go get their man should they want him.
Channel 9’s Danny Weidler in Australia has confirmed that despite those discussions the Newcastle club have no plans to replace current coach Adam O’Brien.
LATEST: @NRLKnights officials say that it’s certain Adam O’Brien will be coach next year. He was told that at a meeting this morning. @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) July 30, 2023
O’Brien was reportedly told that this morning which means there is now one less possible team to recruit Holbrook, therefore clearing the path for Warrington who it is expected will head down under for their next head coach given the lack of high profile coaches available in England at the moment.
Could we see Justin Holbrook return to Super League and if so will it finally be Warrington’s year?
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