Rugby League

Australian coach 'betrayed' by English club's axe

By AAP Newswire

Apr 14, 2026

Hull FC's Australian head coach John Cartwright has said he feels "betrayed and disrespected" by the club's decision not to extend his contract beyond the end of the current Super League season.

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The Black and Whites announced last week they would not be renewing the 60-year-old's contract, and Cartwright said he believed a deal to bring in former Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara as his replacement was "done".

Cartwright told a press conference: "It wasn't mutual, put it that way. I still haven't been given one (a reason). I have asked and I expect to be able to sit down with someone in the not-too-distant future.

"When people know the facts they can make their own mind up but for me I feel a bit betrayed and disrespected."

The former Gold Coast Titans coach came in at the end of a turbulent 2024 campaign and was widely credited with stabilising the club's fortunes, leading them to a seventh-placed finish last season.

They have made a reasonable start to the current campaign but saw their hopes of muscling in on the top six dented by a 24-6 derby defeat by Hull KR earlier this month.

Cartwright confirmed that the club's players did not train last Tuesday after being told of his impending departure. They have since resumed preparations ahead of Thursday night's clash with St Helens.

Cartwright won the 1991 Premiership with Penrith, was capped 18 times by the Kangaroos, and played eight State of Origin ties for NSW.