Wakefield Trinity boss hails ‘unbelievable’ Steve McNamara after Catalans Dragons exit

Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell has paid tribute to Steve McNamara and the “unbelievable” job he did as coach of Catalans Dragons.

McNamara left Catalans earlier this week, though – at the time of writing – his departure is yet to be confirmed by the club.

The former Bradford Bulls coach joined Catalans in 2017 and was in charge when they avoided relegation by beating Leigh in that year’s million pound match.

They lifted the Challenge Cup the following season and were Super League leaders in 2021, going on to lose in the Grand Final against St Helens.

They were also Old Trafford runners-up two years ago, but finished seventh last term and are eighth in the table following a 40-0 loss in McNamara’s last game at the helm.

McNamara was Super League’s longest-serving team boss and Powell described as a “champion fella and coach” .

Daryl Powell pays tribute to Steve McNamara

He insisted: “One of the best things I can say about Steve is he has really challenged himself.

“Going to Australia and coaching out there, the international coach is always a challenging job and then to go to France with the language barrier and all that, they are all challenging things to do.

“Some people are scared to put themselves into difficult situations, but he’s certainly not. Wherever he has been, he has done a fantastic job.

“To go to France and do what he has done – league leaders, Grand Final appearances, won the Challenge Cup – he has done an immense job there. I think everyone recognises that.

“It would be nice if the Catalans club came out and said it, but this [coaching] is a tough job. People don’t realise until you actually do it. It is constantly challenging and he has been amazing for French rugby league and for Catalans.”

Powell said he has messaged McNamara since the news broke. He added: “I know him pretty well – we played in the same international team years ago – and he has been unbelievable in his career in France.”