New Hull FC head coach shortlist with former Hull KR boss Tony Smith the favourite

[josie andrews]

The Black and Whites are looking for a replacement for Brett Hodgson

Hull FC will have a new head coach in mind as they look to replace Brett Hodgson following his departure from the club on Monday afternoon. With a swift appointment to be made, here is a shortlist of potential candidates.

Michael Maguire

The former Wigan head coach has had NRL spells with South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers, where he was relieved of his duties this season. However, Maguire knows Super League well and in many respects revolutionised the way the game was played in this country with his attacking and defensive structures that he brought to Wigan in 2010. He has a wealth of experience under his belt and perhaps the step back from the pressures of the NRL would do him some good. Then again, this is Hull FC we are talking about.

Read more:No quick fix can cure Hull FC with widespread overhaul needed after Brett Hodgson exit

Shaun Wane

The current England boss had a superb spell with Wigan between 2011 and 2018 winning the Challenge Cup, Super League competition and the World Club Challenge. One of the most respected figures in rugby league, Wane is a disciplined coach that knows how to get the best out of his players. He's made no secret of the fact he wants to return to club coaching and for a job to come up that he can get his teeth sunk into as soon as the World Cup finishes appears perfect for him. Getting him this side of the Pennines could be a challenge, but throw in his history of coaching the youth and experience of Wigan's system, something Hull want to replicate.... they could do a lot worse.

Stephen Kearney

When Lee Radford was relieved of his duties, Stephen Kearney was a name that popped up time and time again. The former Hull back rower won the Challenge Cup with the club back in 2005 and is still a popular name amongst fans. Unfortunately, his head coach spell didn't go to plan at New Zealand Warriors. He has spent some time at Melbourne Storm as an assistant coach, a role many with the game argue he is better suited to.

Tony Smith

The clear favourite and the most likely candidate to take the job. The former Huddersfield, Leeds, England, Warrington and Hull KR boss has been rumoured to be a person of interest to Hull FC for a while now and he would end a run of assistant coach appointments stretching back two decades. Smith has a wealth of experience to his name and he still resides in the area after his well-documented departure from Hull KR earlier this year. He would be a fresh appointment with plenty of knowledge and plenty of knowhow to bring to the table. Furthermore, he's already admitted he's interested in the role. Watch this space.

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[josie andrews]

Hull FC supporters take aim at players after Brett Hodgson's exit

Brett Hodgson has been sacked by the Black and Whites.

Hull FC supporters have flooded social media to give their views following the sacking of Brett Hodgson. The club announced the Australian's departure after two years in charge following another disappointing campaign.

The views of most fans tended to be the same, with many seeming to agree with the decision but pointing criticism in the direction of players.

Player power has won," one tweeted. "I'll back the young boys and new signings but the senior players been around for years deserve the long road back rather than a fresh start!"

Others agreed. "The players have won again. Can you pay some of them off too," one fan tweeted. Another said: "Some of the players should be ashamed. That’s two coaches that they have shafted."

"Thanks for everything you have tried to do at the club Hodgson," another said. "Unfortunately don’t think anything will change until the so called click and culture has changed at the club."

Another posted: "The right decision. Hodgson is a good bloke who had some horrendous luck, but a big decision needed to be made ahead of 2023. The last two months have been dreadful. Certain players aren’t above criticism either & should be ashamed of their commitment recently."

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[fozzieskem]

It was always going to end like this he didn't seem to be the right fit for FC,the players should be ashamed of themselves 2 coaches now been canned because of them.

Tony Smith for my money to take over

[josie andrews]

Hull FC land Tony Smith deal as club make swift decision on new head coach

Smith has agreed to become the club's next head coach, with an announcement imminent.

Hull FC have reached an agreement with Tony Smith which will see him become the club's new head coach. An announcement is expected before the weekend after the Black and Whites moved swiftly to secure Brett Hodgson's replacement.

The Black and Whites sacked Hodgson following a dismal end to the Super League season which saw them finish ninth. Just days after his exit, the club has a new man in place.

Owner Adam Pearson set out to make a swift appointment with the goal of having the new coach in place on day one of pre-season. That was a contributing factor in appointing the 55-year-old as he was in a position to start work immediately. Smith has been out of work since July following his premature departure from cross-city rivals Hull KR.


However, his desire to continue coaching remains strong and he expressed his interest in the role at the beginning of the week. Speaking to Hull Live on Monday, Smith outlined his belief that he could have a positive influence on the club.

"When you have lived here for a while, you realise just how big the club is and the support it commands," said Smith, who still lives in the city. "I think everybody in rugby league recognises the potential and, while they have had some glory days in recent years, it has been a while since then. Whoever gets it will have a big job on their hands.”

The Hull FC hierarchy has no qualms over his previous association with the Robins. Smith spent three seasons on the east side of the city and took KR from the bottom of Super League to two semi-finals during his final 12 months in charge.

There is little getting away from the task at hand for Smith, who has also had coaching spells at Huddersfield, Leeds and Warrington as well as a spell in charge of England. He inherits a squad that has underperformed for two straight years, has been on the receiving end of several humiliating defeats and capitulated at the end of the season in five of the past six seasons.

But Smith's track record of turning around clubs in challenging positions was part of the attraction. Smith was able to consolidate the Giants in Super League following relegation and set them up for success in the years to come.

He arrived at Warrington in 2009. The club hadn't won a major trophy since 1974 but the Wolves won the Challenge Cup within six months of his arrival. In their first 14 seasons of Super League their highest league finish was fourth. Smith guided the Wire to four straight top-three finishes in his first four full seasons in charge. He left after winning three Challenge Cups, two League Leaders' Shields and reaching three Grand Finals.

Black and Whites supporters will be hoping for a similar turnaround. Though it's only five years since the club's last trophy, they have rarely threatened to land further silverware since their back-to-back Challenge Cup success. More so, he will be tasked with overseeing a full culture change at the club.

One of Smith's other primary challenges will be recruitment. The club has already signed a number of players for next season, leaving salary cap space tight. However, changes are expected, with both incomings and outgoings likely. The club does have one quota spot unoccupied.

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[josie andrews]

Eddie Hemmings' warning to Tony Smith about taking Hull FC job

The broadcasting legend believes Smith may live to regret taking on the role

Rugby League broadcasting legend Eddie Hemmings has sent a warning to former Hull KR coach Tony Smith, who is set to become the next coach of Hull FC.

It comes after the Black and Whites parted ways with former boss Brett Hodgson, just 48 hours after Rovers embarrassed the Airlie Birds 36-4 at the MKM Stadium. Rumours are also circulating that Smith will be joined by Hull KR's current reserve coach and club legend Stanley Gene, who was Smith's assistant during his tenure at Sewell Group Craven Park.

Smith is expected to be unveiled by the club in the next 48 hours, with Hemmings speaking to The Sportsman about why he thinks the Australian could live to regret his decision to make a move to West Hull in 2023 due to the intense rivalry between the two sides.

"Tony Smith should just think about what happened to Rafael Benítez at Everton," Hemmings told The Sportsman. "He's been in charge of Hull Kingston Rovers, and I'll never forget the scenes in the dressing room over Easter when he was punching the air, and within 48 hours, he's walked out on Hull Kingston Rovers. That was after they beat Hull FC. Is Tony Smith the right man for the job?

"Michael Maguire is available in Australia again. Shaun Wane has even been talked about because Shaun is out of a job at the end of the World Cup whether England either win or don't win it in November. However, You've got to be a brave man to walk across the threshold in Hull."

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