Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has confirmed the club has put a new contract on the table for head coach Adrian Lam, amid speculation about an approach from Hull FC.
The Black & Whites have been without a head coach for almost a month now, with numerous coaches linked with the vacancy since Smith’s sacking in early April.
Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley has already turned down an offer to take over at Hull, with former Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott also reported to have knocked back an approach.
Sky Sports revealed on Friday night that Lam was on FC’s shortlist, with pundit Jon Wilkin even suggesting they may try to lure his son, Lachlan Lam, to Humberside with his dad.
The mounting speculation comes after Hull secured the signing of current Leigh captain John Asiata on a three-year contract from 2025, a deal that’s reported to earn the Samoan around £220,000 per year.
That has since sparked Beaumont to call out Hull for their approach to announcing the deal, calling it ‘not good behaviour at all’ as he questioned the conduct of FC and labelled them ‘desperate’.
Leigh Leopards offer Adrian Lam new deal
Beaumont has admitted that the numbers Asiata will make at Hull have left him ‘staggered’, with the financial strength of the Airlie Birds and their intent to splash the cash under new Director of Rugby Richie Myler very clear.
Speaking about the rumours around Lam, Beaumont revealed the club have offered their head coach a new deal in an attempt to tie down the man who led them to Challenge Cup glory last season.
In an address to the fans, Beaumont also admitted that the decision is Lam’s himself and there is no guarantee on his signature due to the ‘crazy offers’ being thrown around by Hull.
“Trust the process, trust in me, trust in Lammy, Chezzy (Chris Chester) & Jukesy (Neil Jukes),” Beaumont told supporters.
He continued: “Lammy (Adrian Lam) has had a deal put to him, it’s a three-year deal and we’d like to keep him. If somebody’s throwing crazy offers around and someone wants to take that with the uncertainty that brings, then that’s their decision.
“What I can guarantee you is that we’ll be a club spending a full salary cap, as we are, with the full three marquee quotas that you’re allowed and with a top-level coach.
“That’s my commitment, and that’s really all I think anyone needs to know.”
Hull FC prepared to splash the cash
Though Beaumont failed to mention any speculation around Lachlan Lam potentially following his dad to Hull, the star half-back is contracted to the Leopards until the end of 2025.
The playmaker, who kicked the winning drop-goal to win Leigh the Challenge Cup last season, signed a new contract extension last August to keep him at the Leigh Sports Village and deter any interest from Super League and the NRL.
This would leave Hull needing to pay not only a big salary to Lam, but also a transfer fee to Leigh, meaning the chances of FC landing the Adrian-Lachlan Lam double a very costly exercise.
However, from what we have seen with the Asiata deal, it’s clear that the Black & Whites have the cash and that Myler and Chairman Adam Pearson are prepared to throw it around to get the club back on track.
