Richie Myler has addressed some key Hull FC topics.
Hull FC CEO Richie Myler.(Image: SW PIX)
Richie Myler has stated that Hull FC have a clear plan for the future, with the CEO already working in tandem with incoming head coach Steve McNamara as they look to tweak the squad for 2027 and beyond.
The Hull-born coach will join the Black and Whites ahead of next season on a four-year deal, with the club getting the ball rolling with the signing of Bailey Hodgson.
Naturally, Myler isn’t in a position to confirm that signing, with the CEO addressing recruitment, Las Vegas, the club’s position, and more in an interview with Sky Sports on Friday night. Here’s what he had to say:
Bailey Hodgson
“I admire Bailey Hodgson. I think he’s a great player but there’s nothing official for me to confirm or deny. Like I say, he’s a great player, he’s lightning quick and someone I admire but no, nothing to tell you.
Recruitment
“We’ve got a new head coach coming in who’s very clear on a direction he wants to go. We’re underperforming, you can see it. We’ve got a lot of senior players not playing through injury or through form. We know it’s not being good enough but like I say, we’ve got a clear plan that we want to make it right. We’re going to look forward to who’s going to add to this group, who are the right characters, and who’s the right people to bring into this group.”
The 2026 season to date
“Frustrating, very frustrating. There’s a lot of talent in that team, it’s just not showing itself on a weekly basis. And that’s unfortunate. We’ve had a lot of injuries. There’s a lot of things we’ve needed to fix at the club. That’s been the frustrating thing. We’ve unearthed an awful lot. It’s like Pandora’s box sometimes, things keep falling out. The investment’s been brilliant from the ownership and they’ve really funded this club and supported it. 18 months ago, we might not have been here, so it’s credit to them that we are still here. Like I say, we’ve got a long way to go and there’s a lot of things that we’re doing well, but there are a lot of things we need to do better too.”
The club’s Las Vegas decision
“I don’t think we’re ready to go to Vegas. I love the concept of it. I think it’s a fantastic thing to align ourselves in that competition. I’d love to be a part of it but we’re nowhere near there yet. We’ve got so many things we need to fix. Our recruitment’s one, our facilities are another, our infrastructure. We’ve got a lot of things that we want to get right first. We’ll have our time hopefully one day, but it’s not the right time for us to go yet.”
On suggestions the club are in a ‘holding pattern’
“Definitely not. We’re not in a holding pattern. I know it’s been commented and that’s what the perception looks like but no, not a chance. We’ve got some injuries. We need to get some boys back on the field and we need to look if there’s someone we can bring in that’s going to add to us, not only now, but for next year. We don’t just want to bring people in for a short period of time just to plug a gap. We’re going to give some young boys a really good chance who have been chomping at the bit to play. Through form, some people are going to miss out and ultimately, I hope they do well. You can see the hunger that they’ve got.“
Why it’s taking time to turn Hull around, new training venue
“There’s loads of positive things going on. We’re investing in a new training facility. Our training facility hasn’t been adequate enough. That might be down to one of the reasons why we’re having so many injuries and our processes haven’t been right. That’s another way of thinking of, I needed a guy to come in who I know is very meticulous and can drive this club to another level, so that’s why we’ve gone for Steve. We’ve got great owners that are backing us all the way through. They want to sign the best players and have the best people in this club. Hull is a big club, I didn’t realise how big it actually was, but ultimately it’s been left to ruin and that’s what it was. In February 2025, it would have gone bust for right or wrong or whatever we did to survive, but it would have been gone. So that’s why, ultimately, Andrew and David have saved this club.”