Following a shock defeat to Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves parted company with former Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell as they look to head in a new direction as the Powell project has seemingly not worked out over the last two seasons.
But the biggest surprise would of course have to be the new favourite to replace Powell as Head Coach at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
In recent days, Sam Burgess has appeared as the favourite to replace Powell at Warrington.
Burgess has been operating as the Assistant Coach of South Sydney Rabbitohs who he joined from Bradford Bulls becoming an icon of the club and leading them to Grand Final success in 2014 as the Man of the Match with a broke cheekbone.
There has been plenty of talk about this move but according to the notorious Mole of Wide World of Sport, the deal is now “done” as he confirmed on social media.
After Daryl Powell’s sacking a week ago today it was believed that Warrington officials headed down under in their search for a replacement head coach with the frontrunner being ex St Helens boss Justin Holbrook.
Over the course of the week negotiations continued with Holbrook to the point where he accepted a deal and had flights booked per Sky Sports’ Brian Carney, but Holbrook negated on the deal and explained to The Daily Telegraph how close he was.
“I was close to heading back to England because I like the idea of being a head coach, but it just didn’t feel right.
“Obviously, having a great time and success at St Helens and then going to a rival club, but that wasn’t the pure decision.
“I was thinking that way, heading to Warrington to be a head coach, but there was a bit of interest back here and I’ve worked with Robbo before and see an opportunity to help him there to try to get them back up to the top.”
And so the search continued and the shock frontrunner was reported to be Sam Burgess with the Sydney Morning Herald going on to confirm that both he and Warrington are keen on the deal.
The Herald stated: “Warrington have opened negotiations with Burgess for the head coaching role next year, and he is the frontrunner for the job.”
Then after the game between Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers on Channel Nine in Australia, Michael Chammas revealed: “Sam Burgess has told South Sydney officials that he is keen on taking on the job at Warrington Wolves in Super League.”