Salford Red Devils confirm Paul Rowley exit as new club named

Salford Red Devils have announced the exit of head coach Paul Rowley whilst also confirming that he will join St Helens as their new head coach.

St Helens were looking for a new head coach after deciding not to offer Paul Wellens a new contract, with that decision officially confirmed in the week leading up to the Super League Grand Final.

Just over a week later and it’s now been confirmed that Paul Rowley will take up the helm at Saints, with his exit from Salford Red Devils, who have been confirmed as relegated from Super League, announced.

A statement from the Red Devils, who face a HMRC winding up order later this month, announced the news with plenty of gratitude expressed for the 50-year-old.

Posting on social media, they announced: “Salford Red Devils can confirm the immediate departure of Head Coach Paul Rowley, who will be taking up the role of Head Coach at St Helens ahead of the 2026 season.”

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Paul Rowley leaves Salford Red Devils for St Helens role

The initial plan, before the club went into this ongoing financial crisis, was for Rowley to become the director of rugby at Salford in 2026 with assistant coach Kurt Haggerty to become the Red Devils new head coach.

With uncertainty over next year, Rowley has now left whilst Haggerty left the club earlier in the year and has since been appointed as head coach of Bradford Bulls.

What happens next for Salford remains unclear with very few players remaining under contract and their HMRC hearing pencilled in for October 28th.

Their statement regarding Rowley continued: “Paul joined Salford in 2019 as a Coaching Consultant. His experience, passion, and vision were clear from day one. After three years working behind the scenes, he was appointed Head Coach ahead of the 2022 season and quickly established himself as a leader who would leave a lasting mark on the club. He created a belief that extended across the entire club and fan base.”

Speaking on his exit, Rowley said: “I want to thank all players, performance staff, back office and management that I have had the pleasure to work alongside for the togetherness and belonging that I’ve felt from the point I arrived. I am grateful and privileged for the opportunity I was given by Paul King to lead this great club as head coach and leave with wonderful memories, great experiences and friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime.

“To the supporters, you made Salford home, became my friends and welcomed me as one of your own, you gave me your heart and I gave you mine. Thank you for everything.”

Salford Red Devils can confirm the immediate departure of Head Coach Paul Rowley, who will be taking up the role of Head Coach at St Helens ahead of the 2026 season.

Paul has played a huge role in shaping the identity of the club, leading a brand of rugby that made Salford one… pic.twitter.com/hLQKaf7HNF

— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) October 17, 2025