St Helens part ways with Paul Wellens as Eamonn McManus explains decision

St Helens will enter the 2026 Super League season with a new head coach after parting ways with Paul Wellens.

The decision was announced this afternoon, with the club outlining their desire to go in a different direction.

It comes following the conclusion of Wellens’ third year at the helm, with the club finishing fifth in the Super League table before being knocked out of the play-offs at the semi-final stage against Hull KR.

Wellens won the World Club Challenge in his first few months in charge of the club, with the Saints famously seeing off Penrith Panthers down under. But, that remains the last trophy the club has won, with Saints finishing the last two years empty handed.

Of course, expectations are high at the Totally Wicked Stadium, particularly given they had won four straight Grand Finals prior to Wellens taking the reins.

And, in a lengthy message, club chairman Eamonn McManus explained the decision not to renew Wellens’ contract.

St Helens sack Paul Wellens

“Paul’s contribution to the history of our club has been without equal,” McManus said.

“As a player, he won every honour available in our sport and was at the epicentre of our incredible success story during his seventeen-year playing career at the Saints.

“Who can ever forget his on-field reaction as our captain at the end of our 2014 Grand Final victory over Wigan. It epitomised his devotion to the Saints and encapsulated his lifelong passion and dedication to our club and to this town.

“As Head Coach, he started his career with the greatest achievement in our over 150-year history when he led us to victory over Penrith Panthers to win the World Club Challenge on Australian soil in 2023.

“He has since committed his life in every way to the Club as our Head Coach. He has always done so with professionalism, dignity, and class. He’s been a supreme ambassador to our club and to our sport.

“It has therefore been the most difficult decision to make, but we have now decided to move in a new direction and to appoint a new Head Coach. We now begin that search.

“Paul will still be part of the fabric of our club and will always be warmly welcomed by everyone and at all times. We wish him every success in his future career and wish him and his family only well.”

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