Paul Rowley has made the shock decision to step down as St Helens head coach.
Eamon O'Carroll will take interim charge ahead of Friday's derby with Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium. Rowley leaves with the club fifth in the Super League table on 24 points, two points clear of Hull Kingston Rovers, albeit with a vastly inferior points difference
Having arrived with a growing reputation in the game following an impressive stint in charge of Salford, that even saw him listed as a potential England head coach, Rowley leaves following a poor run of form, with Saints winning three of their last eight games against Huddersfield Giants, Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons. In that run of results came the humiliating 46-0 defeat at home to newly promoted Toulouse Olympique on 12th July.
St Helens have had to deal with an injury crisis that has seen more than a dozen first-team players out injured, leading to Rowley himself calling for patience just a week ago, saying: "I think the club requires patience, so it’s never comfortable, but I’ll stand up in front of everybody and they can stand behind me and I’ll keep marching forward."
Saints chair Eamonn McManus said: “I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our Head Coach. He will always be warmly welcomed at the Club.
“The decision was an extremely difficult one for all concerned, and we fully recognise the extra challenges that Paul faced with us this particular season.
“We as a club must now look forward and do all within our powers to preserve our position as the most successful club in the history of Super League and to restore our position as a silverware contender going forward.”
