St Helens legend Kyle Amor takes shock head coach role

St Helens legend and Sky Sports broadcaster Kyle Amor has, in a surprise turn of events, taken up a head coaching role.

It was confirmed by Whitehaven RL today, in a statement: “Whitehaven Rugby League are delighted to announce that Kyle Amor has agreed to take over as head coach at the club with immediate effect for the remainder of the 2024 season.

“The 37 yr old TV broadcaster with Sky Sports is returning to his roots having played for whitehaven in 2009 and 2010.

“His illustrious career has seen him don the shirts of Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield, St Helens, Warrington and finally Widnes. Kyle was also an Irish international and has represented Cumbria.

“Kyle, who is an ambassador for Ortus Solar Energy will assemble the squad on Tuesday and hit the ground running ahead of the clubs visit to Dewsbury. The club would like to welcome Kyle and hope the fans get behind him and the team going forward.”

This comes after Jonty Gorley, the previous head coach, announced that he has resigned from his role just minutes after being in charge for a victory over Doncaster, citing ‘standards’ and ‘morals’ as being the reasoning for the decision, after almost three seasons at the club.

Kyle Amor back in RL after illustrious St Helens career

A four-time Super League winner, Amor takes the role at the age of just 37.

He started his career at Whitehaven, where he was born, meaning this is a much-awaited return.

Young Player of the Year in his first professional season, in the Championship, earned him a move to Leeds Rhinos, being loaned back to Whitehaven.

At St Helens, as well as his four Grand Final victories, he was part of three League Leaders’ Shield-winning sides and the 2021 Challenge Cup winners.

He also represented Ireland at the 2017 World Cup, as well as captaining the Cumbria representative team in one of Jamaica’s warm-up games for the delayed 2021 World Cup.

More to follow…