PAUL ROWLEY TO BECOME RED DEVILS' DIRECTOR OF RUGBY IN 2026

[josie andrews]

Salford Red Devils have announced that Paul Rowley will become the new Director of Rugby of Salford Red Devils in 2026.

Rowley is currently Head Coach at the club and will continue to lead the first-grade squad for the 2025 Betfred Super League campaign before moving into his new role from the beginning of November, 2025.

A new Head Coach for the 2026 season onwards will be communicated very soon.

Since becoming part of the Red Devils set-up in 2019, Rowley has contributed immensely to Salford's fantastic progression on the field.

He was part of the coaching staff that reached the Super League Grand Final in his first year and the Challenge Cup Final in 2020.

Rowley was appointed Head Coach ahead of the 2022 season and formed the coaching trio of Kurt Haggerty and Danny Orr, before Krisnan Inu replaced the latter in 2023.

Developing a team that plays an exciting, attacking brand of rugby, Salford has finished inside the Play-Off places in two of his three seasons in charge.

Consequently, Rowley has been nominated for Super League Coach of the Year on three consecutive occasions.

From 2026 onwards, Rowley will oversee the club's football department on all levels, including first grade, Women’s, Reserves and our newly awarded Elite Academy.

He will be in control of talent ID, player contracts and the pathways to professional rugby league for young players.

Rowley will also have a seat on the Club Board from 2026 – becoming a key decision-maker in his senior role.

Addressing the switch in roles, Rowley said: “First and foremost I just want to thank you for the season we’ve had. The Grand Final is over now. It’s been a great year; I’ve totally enjoyed it and I’m hoping to see you all next year as well.

“With that in mind, I just want to re-emphasise and reiterate the fact that I’m not going anywhere. I’m certainly committed to being at Salford, first and foremost as a coach in 2025.

“I absolutely love it here. I’m committed to this place, and I want to be here for 2025 and beyond. That’s what I will be doing. I won’t be going anywhere.

“I want to be part of the growth of the club. There’s a lot happening on and off the field and I want to be a part of that. As the Club grows and the business grows, at some point at the end of next year I’ll look towards stepping upstairs into some form of Football Director role.

“So, onto the staff, if you’d like. And that will be a long-term appointment, so to connect all the facets of the business, facilitate the Football Department and maintain some fingerprints on the Football Department as well.

“I’ve put a lot of people in place that have got long-term futures now at the Club, good people – and there’s got to be succession.

“I’ve always said I want to appoint my successor and that’s what I’ve done at every club I’ve been at. This is no different.

“I’m looking forward first and foremost to next year and you guys jumping on board and carrying on that journey with me and the team.

“And then beyond that, like I said before, connecting all the facets of an ever growing group in what is a really exciting future going forward!”

Managing Director of Salford Red Devils, Paul King has said: “We are delighted to secure Paul’s future for the long term.

“In the last 12 months he has turned down approaches from three clubs to remain at Salford, so it was imperative we returned that loyalty and provided him with the opportunity to build a legacy for the club that will last generations.

“I appreciate Paul is renowned as the leading coach of his generation, but I have worked with him now since 2019 and he has a great deal to offer not just in developing our playing and coaching network, but also in wider areas of the sport.”

https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/4 ... by-in-2026

[fozzie58]

I always like watching his sides be a shame if he does give up the coaching altogether

[Charriots Offiah]

I always like watching his sides be a shame if he does give up the coaching altogether

There had to be a reason why he was turning down offers, good luck to him.

[fozzie58]

I always like watching his sides be a shame if he does give up the coaching altogether

There had to be a reason why he was turning down offers, good luck to him.

Oh I agree to oversee a club must be a great thing to do but I do like his style of play

[moto748]

Have Salford got a guy lined up, then?

[the pieman]

I always like watching his sides be a shame if he does give up the coaching altogether

There had to be a reason why he was turning down offers, good luck to him.

Oh I agree to oversee a club must be a great thing to do but I do like his style of play

Sounds like a good opportunity for him, and likely to be able to influence far more at the club than just 1st team, but will he be able to take a back seat and let someone else coach the 1st team if they play a style he doesnt like?

Did Salford replace Ian Blease when he went to Leeds? I know its a different role, but are Salford looking at a slightly different management structure by having Director of Rugby and not a Chief Exec (or whatever Blease title was)

[Wiganer Ted]

Salford have been allowed an Elite Academy.
Rowley as DoR will no doubt set up a structure and pathway from maybe scholarship/academy/reserves/first team.
If all four teams play to a similar style then it must make it easier for players to step up to the next level knowing what is fully expected of them and being better able to meet those expectations.
Salford's crowds have grown recently and with the new agreement over the stadium their future is looking far better now than it has for decades.
Well done to them.

[fozzie58]

There had to be a reason why he was turning down offers, good luck to him.

Oh I agree to oversee a club must be a great thing to do but I do like his style of play

Sounds like a good opportunity for him, and likely to be able to influence far more at the club than just 1st team, but will he be able to take a back seat and let someone else coach the 1st team if they play a style he doesnt like?

Did Salford replace Ian Blease when he went to Leeds? I know its a different role, but are Salford looking at a slightly different management structure by having Director of Rugby and not a Chief Exec (or whatever Blease title was)

Little doubt they need a a lease like figure so yes you’re bang on he will replace him in that respect and the other point you raise is a very good one if things aren’t going well can he detach himself from that? It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out I wish him luck of course because I do have a soft spot for his teams they play great rugby and it’s all done on a shoestring (bar Toronto of course)

[josie andrews]

Kurt Haggerty to take over in 2026

https://x.com/superleague/status/184695 ... 17044?s=61