Hull FC Appoint Steve McNamara as Head Coach
Hull FC have reached an agreement with Warrington Wolves to appoint Steve McNamara as their head coach starting next season, with John Cartwright stepping down immediately from his position.
Originally, Cartwright was scheduled to leave at the conclusion of the current campaign; however, the Super League club announced that he had "stepped away from his day-to-day duties as head coach with immediate effect." Additionally, Hull FC agreed to pay a "substantial transfer fee" to enable Warrington assistant coach McNamara to depart his role.
McNamara, aged 54, began his playing career at Hull FC and has previously served as head coach for England, Bradford Bulls, and Catalans Dragons.
"John remains an employee of Hull FC, and the club would like to place on record its sincere thanks for his efforts during his time as head coach at Hull FC," the club stated.
Andy Last, Cartwright's assistant, will assume the role of interim head coach until the end of the current season.
Cartwright's Departure and McNamara's Return
Cartwright's exit from Hull FC was announced earlier this month. In a candid interview with BBC Radio Humberside earlier this week, the Australian coach expressed that the decision "wasn't mutual" and that he felt "betrayed and disrespected."
After taking over for the 2025 season following a difficult 2024 campaign in which Hull FC secured only three Super League victories, 60-year-old Cartwright led a significantly improved performance last year, narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
Although the initial announcement indicated Cartwright would remain head coach until the end of the season, Hull FC's loss to St Helens on Thursday marked his final game in charge.
Following the announcement of McNamara's appointment, Hull FC confirmed that he "remains fully committed" to his current role as assistant to Warrington boss Sam Burgess.
McNamara's previous tenure as head coach at Catalans Dragons was marked by notable success. During his time with the club, he led them to their first-ever Challenge Cup victory in 2018, as well as securing a League Leaders' Shield and two Super League Grand Final appearances before departing in 2025.
"We believe Steve is the right person to lead Hull FC into our next phase and are thrilled with his appointment," Hull FC Chairman Andrew Thirkill said. "His experience, leadership and standards will be critical as we build a team capable of competing consistently at the top of Super League."
McNamara Can Take Hull FC Further - Analysis
Steve McNamara's appointment is widely regarded as an excellent choice for Hull FC, given his calibre, experience, and accomplishments. Hull is known for its passionate and intense rugby league environment, which McNamara is familiar with and prepared to embrace.
This acquisition aligns well with Hull FC's ambitions. While John Cartwright has established a positive culture since his appointment, McNamara is expected to elevate the club further.
At Catalans, McNamara transformed the team from a collection of expensive, talented imports into a cohesive unit. Under his leadership, the Dragons won a Challenge Cup and reached two Grand Finals, overcoming challenges related to travel and financial constraints.
McNamara's coaching career includes early roles at Bradford and England, as well as experience as a highly regarded assistant coach in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors before his tenure at Catalans. This diverse background has equipped him with a broad skill set.
He is likely to receive support from co-owner Andrew Thirkill and director of rugby Richie Myler in reshaping the squad according to his vision. McNamara is also expected to inspire confidence in Hull's homegrown talent, including players such as Lewis Martin, Davy Litten, and Harvey Barron, who are anticipated to be integral to the club's future plans.
The improvement observed at Warrington in 2026, where McNamara bolstered Sam Burgess' staff, demonstrates his positive impact and the tangible results of his contributions.
Importantly, McNamara is expected to have the time and strong support from the fanbase to build and implement his strategies effectively.
However, this hometown appointment carries the pressure of expectations to drive Hull FC towards becoming a consistent top-tier force. McNamara's career trajectory suggests he is well-positioned to meet these challenges.
