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When every Super League coach’s contract expires with two clubs facing imminent extension decisions

Brad Arthur, Matt Peet, Paul Rowley

Whilst the majority of recruitment and retention talk is on Super League players, a vital part of any team is the head coach, and a stable head coach is something that has gone a long way in helping teams in the division thrive. 

The likes of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and St Helens have all had coaches that have stayed for long periods of time, which has been a key factor in their success over the years.

Brian McDermott, Super League’s most successful coach, was at the Rhinos for seven and a half seasons, and in that time won four Super League titles, a League Leaders’ Shield, a World Club Challenge and two Challenge Cups. His longevity was a key part of their success, and having a secure and continuous boss at the helm is working wonders for current clubs too.

Willie Peters has been in charge of Hull KR since 2023, and is finally reaping the rewards after their treble-winning campaign in 2025.

With that in mind, we have taken a look at how every current coach’s immediate future looks, and when each club’s boss will be out of contract.

When every Super League coach’s contract expires

Bradford Bulls – Kurt Haggerty – 2028

The new Bulls boss is one of three to join their current side this off-season. Joining on a three-year deal, Haggerty replaces Brian Noble, who sensationally became Bradford’s head coach for 2025, almost two decades after he left the club in 2006.

Haggerty has brought in many of his former players at Salford, where he was assistant boss, and will hope that prior experience will bode well for them as they return to Super League for the first time since 2014.

Castleford Tigers – Ryan Carr – 2028

Another man joining a new club, Carr also joins Super League on a three-year deal, and will hope to transform Castleford Tigers after many underwhelming seasons of late.

Since Daryl Powell left the club at the end of 2021, Castleford have had six different head coach, including Chris Chester who took the role on for the second half of 2025 once Danny McGuire had been sacked. The club will be hoping that Carr will bring stability, and with the signings they’ve made, he could certainly do that.

Catalans Dragons – Joel Tomkins – 2027

The former Wigan man accepted the role on a permanent basis after stepping in to cover Steve McNamara’s exit. It’s fair to say his start to life as a head coach could have been better, with Tomkins achieving just one win in his first 11 matches.

However, with a whole new squad signed up for 2026, Tomkins has some exciting players on his roster, and if they all gel, could be one of the surprise packages in the division next year.

Huddersfield Giants – Luke Robinson – 2027

Inking a three-year deal at the end of 2024, Robinson replaced Ian Watson part-way through that year and did enough to earn a permanent contract in claret and gold.

The former Giants half-back had a torrid year, with many of his key players struck down by injury across the season. Results last year could be somewhat caveated due to their immense injury list, but he could come under some pressure this year if the squad remains healthy but the performances stay the same.

Hull FC – John Cartwright – 2027

Despite narrowly missing out on a play-off spot in 2025, John Cartwright has made such a huge difference to Hull FC in such a short time. From the attitude of the players to the performances on the field, the former Gold Coast Titans boss has been a tremendous appointment by the club.

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With an increased number of homegrown players in the squad, and the additions of Sam Lisone and Jake Arthur, among others, the Black and Whites are setting up for success in both the short and long-term.

Hull KR – Willie Peters – 2028

As mentioned Peters joined the Robins for 2023, taking over from Tony Smith. In his time at the club, he has achieved 73 wins from 99 matches, which is the highest of any Hull KR boss in Super League.

Following on from a treble-winning season is never easy, but with the current set-up at the club, and the squad they have built, will be one of the favourites to reach Old Trafford again.

Leeds Rhinos – Brad Arthur – 2026

The future of former Parramatta man, Arthur, was one of the big topics in Super League, particularly in the first half of the season. Signing a one-year deal for 2025, and then another year-long contract for 2026, the questions over whether Arthur will stay at Leeds long-term will persist again next year.

Speculation has already started, with a report in Australia linking him to the Wests Tigers, should they decide to part ways with Benji Marshall.

Leigh Leopards – Adrian Lam – 2027

Joining the club in 2022 when they were in the Championship, Lam has constantly talked about the five-year plan at the club, which at the moment, they are executing perfectly.

Going from second tier winners to three consecutive play-off appearances, and 2025 being their highest ever league finish, Lam and the Leopards seem to be a perfect fit. Who knows what the plan will be after 2027, but as it stands, Lam looks certain to be locked in until at least that point.

St Helens – Paul Rowley – 2028

The third coach with a new club this off-season, Rowley joins the Saints from Salford Red Devils, after their financial issues inevitably led them to being liquidated last week.

Rowley is known for being an ‘underdog’ coach and not the boss of one of the big boys, so the pressure and expectation no doubt weigh much heavier. He will be hoping to achieve what Paul Wellens couldn’t, and that’s taking the club to a major final for the first time since the World Club Challenge in 2023.

Toulouse Olympique – Sylvain Houles – Unknown

Houles’ contract situation isn’t currently public knowledge, however what we do know is that he is the longest-serving coach in Super League. Joining the Olympians in 2013, he has been with the club ever since, and has seen them to titles including the French Championship in 2014 and 2015, League One upon their return to the UK competitions in 2016, and Championship victories in 2021 and 2025.

Wakefield Trinity – Daryl Powell – 2029

Signing a huge five-year deal earlier this season, Powell, alongside coaching staff Danny Kirmond, Michael Shenton and Ste Mills, have all committed their long-term futures to the club.

Another club on the up, the signs all look positive for Wakefield at the minute, and with the futures of the coaching staff all certain for the foreseeable, that allows the side to be able to plan and develop further into the future.

Warrington Wolves – Sam Burgess – 2026

The second coach that is coming into a contract year, Burgess is arguably the most under-pressure head coach in Super League.

A difficult second year in charge of the Wolves saw them finish outside the play-offs, with performances looking vastly different to those in 2024. The England legend has a ton of work to do if he is to earn back the faith of the Wire faithful and extend his stay at the Halliwell Jones.

Wigan Warriors – Matt Peet – 2030

The Wigan boss currently has the longest contract of all coaches in the league, and after a successful start to his time at the helm, looks set to continue that in the future.

This season didn’t work out as planned for Peet, as he failed to bring home a trophy for the first time since his maiden season. There is certainly some pressure on him, however with a long-term deal in the bag, it is hard to see the Warriors acting rash and letting him go just because of a few poor performances.

York Knights – Mark Applegarth – Unknown

Another unknown, Applegarth became York boss part-way through 2024, and has managed the club 50 times since his arrival. With a win rate of 78%, he has been a very good fit at the North Yorkshire outfit, and after a disappointing first stint as a Super League boss with Wakefield, will hope that his second time around will be much improved.

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