Rugby league fans in agreement after Paul Wellens and St Helens part ways

This week, the rugby league world was met with the news that St Helens coach Paul Wellens had parted ways with St Helens after three years in charge.

Wellens, who enjoyed a 17-year playing career at Saints, took over the role from Kristian Woolf, following his departure to the NRL in 2023. The 45-year-old club legend agreed to his first senior coaching role, after being part of the team’s coaching setup since retirement in 2015.

In his first match in charge, he brought home silverware. Lewis Dodd slotted over a drop goal to defeat Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge, sinking the hearts of Australia international Nathan Cleary and his side, but seemingly continuing a legacy forged by those before him.

However, the St Helens honours cabinet would gather dust ever since that thriller win, with Wellens’ failing to guide his side to a major final, let alone a trophy.

Three seasons later, the Red Vee have just bowed out of the playoffs at the semi-final stage, after being defeated by league leaders Hull KR. The result marked the end of Wellens’ tenure as coach of his boyhood club, in what has been a gradual decline since that World Club Challenge win.

Serious About Rugby League fans on Facebook reacted to the news, which broke on Thursday afternoon. You can join the discussion by clicking here.

“Feel for him” – rugby league fans say the same thing in response to St Helens coaching departure

Many fans, whilst understanding his ability was not up to standard, do believe that he isn’t fully to blame, with Saints’ higher-ups Eamonn McManus and Mike Rush also copping some criticism.

David Brisco: Gave his heart and soul to saints. Probably handed the head coach role a few seasons before he was ready for it though A very similar situation to the one Cunningham found himself in. I’m sure all saints fans wish him well whatever he ends up doing. He walks away with his head held high knowing he did his best.

Gratch Knowles: Feel for him he’ll always be a saints legend but its the right decision we need to compete and at the moment we’re going backwards

David Wilson: Fantastic player. Gave it a good go as coach but wasn’t to be. Lot of respect for him.

Paul Barber: Possibly the right man but at the wrong time, needed more experience or more time.

John Crawley: I’ve said it before, McManus and Rush took the easy option after Woolf left. They should have looked further afield for a replacement but offered the role to Wello, the man is Saint’s through and Through and was hardly going to turn the chance down.

Malc James: They took a chance on an ex player but didn’t back him with better players let’s see who comes in and what funds he gets to spend I hope they offer him another job in the club because he stood by saints and got them into the slsf [Super League semi-finals] on a low budget.

Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.

Rush, in particular, has his critics with the Saints CEO being responsible for the poor recruitment that has seen St Helens stagnate over the past three years.

Having brought in seven first-team players in the past two seasons, only two of them can really be called a success. Matt Whitley and Daryl Clark joined the club ahead of 2024, and are the only two to make a positive impact on the team.

Terry John Brown: Surely he can only work with the players he’s got. Some blame should be on Mike Rush too

Paul Shaw: Good luck Wello the board and coaching team didn’t help your cause.

Neil John Kerfoot:  So that’s how you treat one of the clubs best ever super league players? The best coach in the world couldn’t get a tune out of half of that team. Recruitment been crap for a while.