Revealed: The big club Richard Agar rejected before heading into the 2022 Super League season

Richard Agar stepped down as Leeds Rhinos head coach on Monday following over three years at the club.

Agar steadied the ship when relegation was genuinely feared and turned things around enough to guide the club to a Challenge Cup success in 2020.

Since then, the former Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC boss helped Leeds to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final in 2021, but started 2022 dismally with just one win in six games.

Commenting on the decision, Agar said: “When I first took on the Head Coach’s job three years ago, I agreed with Kevin Sinfield and Gary Hetherington that I would do so on the basis that I could help take the team forward.

“I agreed a six month rolling contract and I was happy to continue whilst ever we were making progress. However, I don’t feel like I am having the impact I would hope to on the squad.

“I am proud of our record over the last three years. The club was in a tough position when I took over, we battled against relegation before facing the unprecedented challenges of Covid and an injury ravaged squad last season. On the field, we won the Challenge Cup at Wembley, reached the play offs in the last two seasons and saw the emergence of a number of highly promising young players.

“I really believe we have a strong squad who have the potential to achieve this year. They are working hard in training every day but unfortunately this has not materialised in to results and ultimately that responsibility rests with me,” added Agar.

However, Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph has revealed that Agar turned down the opportunity to become Craig Fitzgibbon’s assistant coach at Cronulla Sharks for the 2022 season.

Could Agar be tempted to leave the UK behind for the sunny climates Down Under?