Super League coaches react to Paul Rowley’s St Helens exit as rivals shocked by decision

Paul Rowley’s sudden departure from St Helens took Super League by surprise, including his rival coaches.

Saints today (Thursday) released a statement saying Rowley had “stepped down” with immediate effect, just nine months after beginning a three-year contract.

The former Leigh, Toronto Wolfpack and Salford Red Devils boss has had to deal with an unprecedented injury crisis throughout his time at the helm, but leaves with Saints sixth in the table and in the hunt for a play-off spot.

Wakefield Trinity’s Daryl Powell was asked about Rowley’s exit from Saints at his press conference previewing tomorrow’s home derby against Castleford Tigers.

“I am surprised,” he said. “Obviously they have had a lot of injuries, there’s been a lot of conjecture there, and they lost a game pretty heavily a couple of weeks back [46-0 at home to Toulouse Olympique], which was damaging.

“I have been there myself, I know what it’s like. It is tough on coaches when this happens, there’s a whole lot of other people involved, but one person cops the fall, and that’s tough. I feel for Paul. It’s tough circumstances and I hope he’s all right.”

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Powell admitted “I don’t know” why anyone would want to be a coach. He said: “I’ve enjoyed it in my time, but it is challenging as well.

“It’s one of those jobs that never goes away. Paul will have been thinking about it non-stop and sometimes you can’t come up with the answers, for whatever reason, or circumstances beyond your control make it difficult.

“There’s a lot of things go into it and sometimes I wonder why people want to do it, but I’ve done it for long enough now to not be able to answer that question.”

Ryan Carr, who is in his first season as coach of Tigers, admitted the news “caught me right off guard”.

He said: “I wouldn’t have seen that coming. I feel for coaches [in that situation].

“As one myself, I know how hard it is, so I feel for anyone who is going through that.

“There’s obviously something going on within their four walls that’s none of my business, but I hope he is doing all right.”

Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur reflected: “It’s a ruthless sport. I just hope he is all right and his family is okay. I have been through that process before, but I don’t know much about it.”