Hull FC landed their number one target earlier this month.
Steve McNamara has been confirmed as Hull FC’s next head coach.(Image: sw pix)
Warrington Wolves had Hull FC-bound Steve McNamara earmarked as their next head coach, CEO Karl Fitzpatrick has confirmed.
The Wire appointed Steve McNamara to work under Sam Burgess for the 2026 season, with the Hull-born coach also contracted for next year. The plan was for McNamara to take over from Burgess at some stage, before Hull, as first reported by Hull Live, swooped in to land their hometown man.
The 54-year-old, who debuted for Hull as a player back in 1989, has signed a four-year deal to be the Black and Whites’ new head coach for the 2027 season and beyond. He replaces John Cartwright, who was ‘stepped down’ this month with Andy Last in interim charge for the rest of the 2026 season.
Hull have agreed a compensation fee with Warrington to land McNamara, with Fitzpatrick outlining that process while speaking on Sky Sports’ The Bench podcast.
He said: “First of all, Steve’s been totally transparent and honest throughout. He informed us about the approach. We’re very disappointed to lose Steve. We had him actually down to replace Sam at some stage, whenever that was going to be the case. We’re also not naïve enough to think, given a coach of Steve’s calibre and quality, that should an opportunity come available, they wouldn’t come knocking.
“We didn’t expect it to come around so soon. However, that’s the situation. We’ve had a grown-up conversation with Hull, and we both agreed on a compensation fee.”
Confirming there’s no chance of McNamara leaving early, Fitzpatrick continued: “Steve’s totally invested and focused on going out in style. It’s really important for Steve that he sees out this season and sees it out in the right way.
“He’s had a really positive impact on the club and a really positive impact on Sam as well. Don’t forget Sam’s a young and relatively inexperienced coach. And I’ve already seen the progress that Sam’s been gaining from working with someone like Steve, who’s a very good operator.
“But look, we’re disappointed that we’re losing Steve, but we understand the reasons why. I know he’s very driven to go out on the right notes.”
Asked by Jon Wilkin if there are any rules to coaches being tapped up as they are with players, indicating that Hull spoke to McNamara before Warrington Wolves, Fitzpatrick said: “They should approach the club first. We were approached at some stage. Yes.
“Look, I don’t want to throw Hull under the bus here. They’ve got a relatively inexperienced CEO there as well. They approached us and we arrived at a compensation fee that we thought was fitting for relinquishing Steve’s services.”
Fitzpatrick also confirmed that Warrington have begun discussions with Burgess regarding a contract extension. His current deal runs out at the end of the year.
“We’ve had some preliminary discussions already,” Fitzpatrick added. “Sam’s keen to stay. We’ll just have to watch this space with that one.”