Castleford Tigers took the surprise decision to sack Danny McGuire just 17 games into his Super League career but who could replace him?
The actions to hire a rookie head coach on a three-year deal only to sack him so soon would suggest that the Tigers have a clear idea of what, or who, they want in charge so the Tigers could move quick to replace the 42-year-old.
It’s a sacking that has surprised most people with Castleford struggling in 2025 but no more than was expected given the state of the squad assembled at the start of the season.
Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin was very vocal in his argument that Castleford Tigers had the worst squad of any Super League team and despite the signings of Tom Amone and Joe Stimson, you’d argue that is still the case barring Salford who have an asterisk beside their name.
Granted, two of McGuire’s four wins came against Salford and the loss last Thursday against Huddersfield was a bad one but investing money and time into a first-time head coach only to sack him after one bad result makes little to no sense.
However, that is the situation and we’ve examined five candidates who would be in line to replace Danny McGuire at Wheldon Road.
Who could Castleford Tigers hire as their next head coach?
Steve McNamara
McNamara has to be the man that Castleford pursue aggressively given the shock nature of McGuire’s sacking. Perhaps they wish to jump the queue and get ahead of West Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos in case Brad Arthur does return Down Under.
Experience is what Castleford need and McNamara has plenty of that. He also build Catalans from nothing so could transform the Tigers in a similar way, particularly with the backing of Martin Jepson and the quality of Chris Chester as Director of Rugby.
Paul Rowley
An unlikely one given the fact Rowley is set to take an off-field role with Salford Red Devils, or at least that was the plan. Perhaps the fact that his final season as a head coach has been ruined by the situation Salford find themselves in could tempt him to coach again.
His coaching credentials speak for themselves but this one would depend on Rowley himself and as someone who is full of integrity, you’d expect him to honour his off-field role with Salford.
Tony Smith
Smith left Hull FC last April and hasn’t been involved in coaching again but this could be a final roll of the dice for the experienced head coach. He’s coached over 600 games in England and has always got a tune out of the team he coached, barring that spell at Hull FC.
Castleford clearly want experience otherwise they wouldn’t have sacked a coach with as much promise as McGuire, so perhaps the 58-year-old Australian is an option.
Justin Morgan
Another Australian who will be considered is Justin Morgan, the one-time Hull KR coach. He was in charge of the Robins from 2005 to 2011 and was their most successful coach in the Super League era until Willie Peters came along.
Morgan has a history with Chris Chester, signing him as a player and offering him a coaching role as well so that could count for something as well.
Ian Watson
Watson is currently out in America coaching rugby union but he’ll still feel he has more to prove in rugby league, especially given how his Huddersfield exit came about. Another coach with plenty of experience and history of taking teams to Grand Finals and Challenge Cup Finals, he also has a distinctive style of rugby.
Danny McGuire departs Castleford Tigers
Following a Board meeting today, Castleford Tigers can confirm the departure of Danny McGuire as Head Coach.
Chairman Martin Jepson commented:
“It has been a challenging season, but in particular, the result and performance in last week’s… pic.twitter.com/bafWJQaNlf— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) July 7, 2025
