Warrington Wolves chairman says Daryl Powell had too much control at the club

It has been a crazy week in the world of rugby league as Friday’s transfer deadline approaches, with Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers all doing transfer business.

Despite this, the story of the week came in the form of a coaching dismissal at Warrington Wolves as Daryl Powell was relieved of his duties less than two years into his three-year contract.

It comes after a dismal run of form has the seen the Wolves, who started the season with eight consecutive wins, slip down the league table and into the final playoff place in sixth.

Now, speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Warrington chairman Stuart Middleton has gone into detail as to why the club decided to fire Powell at this stage of the season.

“Last year’s results were very disappointing after putting all the resources in place,” he said. “I think we’ve learned now that in the future we’ve got to ask a lot more questions and not just give someone a free rein and let them do what they want.

“We have to challenge things if we think something is not right, and it’s clear we didn’t get it right last year, we need to make sure we don’t go through that procedure again.”

Going into more detail on Powell’s role at the club, Middleton acknowledged that they didn’t get the balance right and that the former Cas boss was given too much control over who stayed and left the club.

“I think if you employ somebody you have to let them get on with the job. It’s a fine balance because if you are interfering too much then that is not right.

“We shouldn’t be in the changing rooms before or after games, I think that’s wrong for any of the board, chairman or chief executive, to do that.

“At the end of the day it’s the coach’s choice, he picks the team and it’s up to him to get the best out of them, but if there are decisions there we feel are not right then that’s when we should intervene.

“We should say what we think whether we agree or not, then make a decision from that. I think we got some decisions wrong in letting certain players leave – that’s proven with how some of them are now performing for other Super League clubs.”