John Cartwright admitted he felt ‘disrespected and betrayed’ by the club in this afternoon’s Hull FC press conference
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright.(Image: SW PIX)
John Cartwright wasted no time getting into it as he sat down in front of the press at the MKM Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The questioning was direct but Cartwright made it clear from the off that he would not be beating around the bush after a difficult few days in his position at the club.
He started fast, telling reporters that his exit was not a mutual decision and in the first couple of minutes of his press conference he outlined how he felt ‘betrayed and disrespected’ as head coach of Hull FC.
He went on to say that no explanation had been given by the club’s hierarchy as to why they had decided to go in a different direction before outlining his belief that the appointment of his successor in Steve McNamara was a done deal.
When he was asked about recruitment and why the club hadn’t signed anyone yet, despite having the space, Cartwright outlined that they had found suitable candidates but no action had been taken, directing reporters to the CEO Richie Myler.
Those who have watched or listened to a Cartwright press conference will know that the Australian isn’t one to play things with a straight bat. Ask him a question, no matter how challenging, and he will give you an open and honest answer.
It’s an approach that has seen him gain plenty of respect among those in the game, the rugby league press pack and the fans that watch the Black and Whites on a regular basis.
But, coming away from the press conference on Monday, you had to wonder whether that would be Cartwright’s last as the FC coach.
Cartwright was adamant that he would be sticking around and doing his job professionally until his services are no longer required.
The explosive manner of what he said, though, simply has to make his position untenable at this point.
There was always going to be question marks about whether the Australian would stick around until the end of the season and that talk started last week as fans and the media speculated about what could happen in the weeks and months moving forward.
The bare minimum expected was that he would take charge of the Black and Whites on Thursday night against St Helens. But not now. Not after that press conference and the way it will inevitably be received internally and externally.
The decision makers at the club will be reading Cartwright’s comments, highlighting what a mess things seem to be at present, and they’ll surely be left with very few options. Firstly, they would have the right to question why Cartwright was allowed to sit down in front of the press at all, knowing how disgruntled he was. Then, they will have to decide whether they can allow him to continue being the voice and the face of the club moving forwards after taking such a swipe at those above him.
Cartwright has done a sterling job at Hull so far and he can leave with his head held high, but after saying his piece, it would be a shock if he was still in place to take the Black and Whites come Thursday night.