Hull FC appoint McNamara as Cartwright leaves

Hull FC have agreed a deal with Warrington Wolves to appoint Steve McNamara as their head coach from next season with John Cartwright stepping down immediately.

Cartwright had been set to exit at the end of this campaign, but the Super League club said he had "stepped away from his day-to-day duties as head coach with immediate effect".

They have also agreed to pay a "substantial transfer fee" to allow Wire assistant coach McNamara to leave his role.

McNamara, 54, started his playing career at Hull FC and has previously been in charge of 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 said in a statement., external

Cartwright's assistant, Andy Last, will take on the role of interim head coach until the end of the current campaign.

McNamara's return to his boyhood club, where he made over 160 senior appearances as a player, comes tinged with controversy.

Cartwright's exit was announced earlier this month, but in a candid interview with BBC Radio Humberside earlier this week, the Australian said it "wasn't mutual" and claimed he felt "betrayed and disrespected".

Having taken over for the 2025 season, after the Black and Whites' miserable 2024 campaign in which they won just three Super League matches, 60-year-old Cartwright led a much-improved showing last year as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

The initial announcement of his exit had stated he would continue in the role until the end of the season, yet Thursday's loss to St Helens proved to be his final game.

Announcing McNamara's return to the club, the Black and Whites said that he "remains fully committed" to his current role as assistant to Warrington boss Sam Burgess.

McNamara's previous head coach role at Catalans saw him enjoy plenty of success.

During his time with Les Dracs, he led them to a first-ever Challenge Cup in 2018, as well as a League Leaders' Shield and two Super League Grand Final appearances before he departed 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."