St Helens boss Kristian Woolf reportedly signs for club for 2023

St Helens’ Kristian Woolf has become one of the leading coaches of his generation.

After making the move to Super League ahead of the 2020 season, the Tonga national boss has more than put his stamp on the UK competition, winning two Grand Finals and a Challenge Cup in his two-and-a-half years at the club so far.

With Saints playing a superb brand of rugby, coupled with incredible defence, there is little to suggest that the Merseyside club will not win a fourth Grand Final in a row – and a third for Woolf – in 2022.

However, with Woolf yet to commit to any future contract, the 46-year-old has been linked with a move back to the NRL.

Following St Helens’ narrow loss to Catalans Dragons a fortnight ago, Woolf was asked about his future once more.

“I’ve got to sort myself out at some stage but all I’m worried about is doing well at Saints,” Woolf said.

“We’ve got a few things we can learn from and then we can change the results.”

With the New Zealand Warriors and Wests Tigers now both looking for new bosses after the sacking of Nathan Brown and Michael Maguire respectively, there is no shortage of potential destinations for the Saints boss.

The Daily Telegraph previously reported that Woolf was the number one target for the Warriors after the pain of the past few seasons under Brown, but that Woolf rejected the chance to move to New Zealand with a return to Australia reportedly favoured.

Woolf has also previously been linked with a coaching role alongside Sam Burgess at the Dolphins.

Bennett himself revealed that Woolf, whose deal runs out at the end of 2022, is a main target to come in as assistant and then take the reins permanently in 2024.

“I would be interested in Kristian, plus a couple of others,” Bennett said.

“I’m not sure what will play out. I imagine there are a few clubs interested in Kristian, he is a good young coach and yes, he is one of about four guys we are interested in.

“There is so much to be sorted out for us, I won’t be jumping at shadows.”

However, big news was reported this morning that Woolf has reportedly put pen to paper on a 12-month deal at St Helens, according to The Mole at the Wide World of Sports.

If true, it would be a major boon for the Merseyside club.