McNamara is coming to the end of his first week in charge of the Black and Whites
Steve McNamara has started work at Hull FC (Image: sw pix)
Steve McNamara made his first outing beyond Hull FC’s training ground in his new colours on Thursday as he gets to grips with his new surroundings.
It was an informal press event, held at the MKM Stadium and open to local news outlets, including Hull Live and a number of broadcast organisations. Indeed, it was a relaxed, low key and friendly encounter and that’s exactly how McNamara came across as he issued his first words since picking up he reins on Monday morning and getting his new role underway in earnest.
Having said that, McNamara still made sure that he said what he wanted to say to the press as he proudly donned the same three crowns he wore as a player between 1989 and 1996.
There was no outlandish statements, no bullish predictions or promises of silverware, there was very little discussed in the way of expectations outside of Hull’s four walls and the question of success was left open-ended.
However, the new head coach became the first person within the club to say what everyone else saw last season, that Hull simply were not fit enough last season to cope with the rigours of Super League.
That message was clear to the press and it has no doubt been made clear to his players as they come to the end of their first week of pre-season.
McNamara hasn’t returned to his boyhood club just to go the same way his last few successors have gone. He’s all too aware of the cycle of head coaches the club have gone through in recent years, with high expectations being followed by disappointment on an all too regular basis.
The 55-year-old has turned down the Black and Whites in the past, but it’s clear that he believes he is stepping in at the right time, with the club being in the ideal position to kick on due to a number of factors.
The quotes from Hull Live’s first interview with McNamara as the new Hull boss will be able to be published soon.
But, the head coach spoke openly about his pre-season plans, the possibility of recruitment, his coaching staff, any injury situations, new signings, Daly Cherry-Evans, Bailey Hodgson and what he would deem to be success in 2027 and beyond.
The former England boss has spent the last six months of so trying to juggle his day job as a Warrington Wolves assistant with making plans for Hull.
What came across immediately from McNamara, though, was just how relieved he was to finally be able to crack on with the job and make no mistake, McNamara will be doing all he can to whip Hull’s talented squad of players into shape.