Catalans Dragons part ways with Steve McNamara with official statement after nearly six weeks

Catalans Dragons have officially announced the dismissal of head coach Steve McNamara.

News of Catalans and McNamara parting ways came in the days after their 40-0 loss to St Helens, with Joel Tomkins having led the side since then. However, McNamara’s exit has only now been formalised via a club statement, almost six weeks on.

That loss to St Helens was the club’s third defeat in a row and the manner of it was enough to push club president Bernard Guasch into relieving Steve McNamara of his duties.

Taking the Catalans reins in 2017, McNamara kept the Dragons in Super League by winning the Million Pound Game before going on to win the Challenge Cup in 2018, securing the club’s first major honours.

The Yorkshireman led the Dragons to two Super League Grand Finals, too, in 2021 and 2022, with a League Leaders’ Shield coming in the build-up to the former.

However, a difficult 2024 season saw Catalans miss out on the play-offs and despite the club spending big to bring in the likes of Luke Keary, Nick Cotric, Tommy Makinson and Tevita Pangai Jr over the off-season, that poor form has kept into the 2025 campaign.

Catalans Dragons finally release Steve McNamara statement

Tomkins led Catalans to a further four losses but the Dragons finally got back to winning ways on the weekend, defeating Huddersfield Giants 32-0, and they’ve now chosen to confirm McNamara’s exit in the aftermath.

An official statement from the club read: “After eight years, and without questioning his qualities, the Catalans Dragons have decided not to continue their collaboration with their head coach Steve McNamara – a decision that has been accepted by him.

“Having been in charge since June 2017, he won the club’s first major trophy with the Challenge Cup in 2018 and led the team to the Super League Grand Final in 2021 and 2023.

“The club sincerely thanks him for his commitment and the success he achieved. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best for the future of his career.”

Communiqué du club – Steve McNamara

🇫🇷 https://t.co/JS6x93brNZ
🇬🇧 https://t.co/J1dIHYb3HG pic.twitter.com/iYv4QodOL3

— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) June 30, 2025