When every Super League coach contract ends with Leeds Rhinos and St Helens set for big calls

Super League players are often subject to contract talk but what of the head coaches? We’ve looked at when every coach’s deal expires with three off-contract at the end of the current season.

Of those three, the succession plan at one club has been confirmed but that still leaves two teams with decisions to make in the coming months.

Results will obviously play into whether the teams take up new deals with the coaches, whilst the coaches themselves could seek opportunities elsewhere.

With the NRL launching a Perth Bears team in 2027 and a PNG-based side in 2028, Super League will obviously be seen as a talent pool for future NRL head coaches.

For that reason, as with players, it’s important for teams to tie their bosses down. Currently, just two head coaches in Super League are contracted beyond the 2027 season.

We’ve examined when every Super League head coach sees their current deal expire.

What is every Super League coach’s contract situation?

* Contract expires at end of listed year

Danny McGuire (Castleford Tigers) – 2027

The most recent appointment understandably has time left on his deal with Castleford Tigers only appointing Danny McGuire at the end of the 2024 season. The former Leeds Rhinos man has three wins under his belt so far but he’s got another two-and-a-half years to bring success to Wheldon Road.

Steve McNamara (Catalans Dragons) – 2026

Arguably the most under-pressure coach in this list is Steve McNamara, particularly after Catalans’ 40-0 loss to St Helens. One thing you would say is that he has plenty of credit in the bank with the Englishman being Super League’s longest-serving head coach and having brought Les Dracs their most successful period. He’s off-contract at the end of next year but faces a tough task of righting the ship in 2025.

Luke Robinson (Huddersfield Giants) – 2027

Similar to McGuire, Robinson was appointed late in 2024 but he had served as the club’s interim coach for a lengthy period before that deal was confirmed. The Giants are also doing it tough in 2025 but they remain ambitious and well-backed, as seen by their plans to build a new stadium.

John Cartwright (Hull FC) – 2027

Cartwright was announced in the middle of the 2024 season with a start date of 2025 on a three-year deal. He’s overseen a huge turnaround and whilst the Black and Whites are in a rough patch at the moment, it’s fair to say Richie Myler nailed this appointment.

Willie Peters (Hull KR) – 2028

The Hull KR head coach is one of just two coaches contracted beyond 2027 with his deal running a year beyond that. He’s leading the Robins through their most successful period in Super League and silverware is within touching distance. He has recently been named on the NRL radar though, with the Australian confirming his desire to coach in the comp at some point but insisting his focus is with Rovers.

Brad Arthur (Leeds Rhinos) – 2025

The most talked-about head coach in 2025 and that’s because his deal expires at the end of the current season. Brad Arthur has made no secret of his desire to return to the NRL and that looked set to be with Perth Bears, however, recent reports have suggested he is no longer the front-runner. Could that mean he opts to stay at Headingley? Time will tell.

Adrian Lam (Leigh Leopards) – 2027

Chris Chester has just left Leigh Leopards but it’s fair to say appointing Adrian Lam was his finest piece of business in a string of very good signings. Lam has time on his deal and with the Leopards recently granted academy status, the club is bound for a new direction and you’d think Lam is the perfect man to lead them.

Paul Rowley (Salford Red Devils) – 2025

Amid all of the uncertainty at Salford, one thing was made clear late last year and that was that Paul Rowley would see out his deal and then move into an off-field role with Kurt Haggerty set to succeed him as head coach. Whether that changes given the ever-changing situation at Salford is unclear but there are no suggestions that’s the case.

Paul Wellens (St Helens) – 2025

Another of the talked-about coaches in 2025 is Paul Wellens and that’s due to his off-contract nature and the up-and-down start that Saints have had in 2025. He guided his side to a pressure-relieving win against Catalans but that wasn’t before reports linking Samoa head coach Ben Gardiner to the job. One thing to note is St Helens didn’t extend Wellens deal for 2025 until late last year so we could expect more uncertainty for a while.

Daryl Powell (Wakefield Trinity) – 2027

When Matt Ellis bought Wakefield Trinity in late 2023 he made the bold call to appoint Daryl Powell to a four-year deal, something you’d now look back on as brilliant business. After a near flawless Championship campaign, Trinity are back in Super League and in the mix for the play-offs.

Sam Burgess (Warrington Wolves) – 2026

Burgess is not off-contract at the end of the year but he’s being talked about as one of those who could head Down Under to the NRL with the Englishman named as favourite for the Perth Bears job. He’s spoken openly on his interest in the role so he’s another to watch.

Matt Peet (Wigan Warriors) – 2030

Matt Peet has the longest contract of any Super League coach and it’s not hard to understand why Kris Radlinksi and those at Wigan would want to secure their head coach. Peet has led Wigan to silverware in each season of his reign with the 2024 season going down in history.