Paul Rowley steps down as St Helens coach on eve of Wigan Warriors derby
Paul Rowley has stepped down as St Helens head coach
Paul Rowley has stepped down from his head coaching role at St Helens with immediate effect, with the news coming just the day before their derby encounter with Wigan Warriors.
The club have confirmed that Rowley has decided to step down from his role after less than a year in the job, having been appointed ahead of this season, taking over the reins from Paul Wellens.
Rowley has been dealt a tough hand with an unprecedented injury crisis during his tenure, and leaves the club in sixth place in the Super League table with eight rounds of the regular season to go.
The 51-year-old’s last game in charge of Saints was Friday’s 32-18 win over Catalans Dragons, with assistant coach Eamon O’Carroll to take over on an interim basis, starting with Friday’s derby against Wigan at the Brick Community Stadium.
A club statement read: “St. Helens R.F.C. can confirm that head coach Paul Rowley has stepped down from his role at the club with immediate effect.
“Assistant coach Eamon O’Carroll will assume interim leadership of the Saints’ first-team.
“Paul has navigated an unprecedented injury crisis during his tenure, maintaining a very competitive position throughout the 2026 Betfred Super League season.
“The board commends him for his achievements during this challenging period and wishes him the very best in future endeavours.
“Eamon O’Carroll’s interim appointment delivers continuity and stability as the club gears up for the business end of the season, and as a thorough process to identify a permanent successor is embarked upon.”
Saints chairman Eamonn McManus added: “I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our head coach. He will always be warmly welcomed at the club.
“The decision was an extremely difficult one for all concerned, and we fully recognise the extra challenges that Paul faced with us this particular season.
“We as a club must now look forward and do all within our powers to preserve our position as the most successful club in the history of Super League and to restore our position as a silverware contender going forward.”
The Round 20 Super League fixture between Wigan and St Helens takes place at the Brick Community Stadium on Friday evening, 8pm kick-off, with O’Carroll now taking interim charge of Saints.