Brian Carney links 'genius' Paul Rowley to vacant Hull FC head coach position

Sky Sports rugby league host Brian Carney has reported that Hull FC have identified Paul Rowley to become their next head coach. The Black and Whites are on the lookout for a permanent fix after parting ways with Tony Smith last week.

In the meantime, Simon Grix is in charge on an interim basis, with new Director of Rugby Richie Myler confirming he has the role until the end of the current season. Grix is also a 'prime' candidate for the job on a permanent basis, as explained by Myler earlier this week.

Hull are believed to have drawn up a three-man coaching shortlist, and Carney believes one of those names is Rowley, who has done a stern job with Salford Red Devils. Myler, meanwhile, has stated that appointing a head coach is his highest priority, with Rowley, deemed by many as one of the brightest coaches in the game, also having spells at Leigh and Toronto Wolfpack.

Speaking ahead of Friday's Super League action, which saw Hull go down 58-0 at St Helens in a defeat that keeps them 11th place on the table, Carney said: "I just wonder, and you've heard it all before, whether Richie Myler, the new director of rugby at Hull FC, will have a close eye on Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley.

"Salford Red Devils won't like us speculating about that, but they have had their players picked and poached from their squad. I'm hearing that he's in the sights of Hull FC."

Jon Wilkin, meanwhile, thinks Rowley is a 'genius' and is not surprised to see Hull potentially identifying the Salford coach as their next head coach.

“Why wouldn’t you?" Wilkin added. "He’s a genius with limited resources. Hull have just got limited resources, so who's the best man in the business at getting and rinsing every last ounce of moisture out of your squad? Well, it's Paul Rowley."

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Hull are keeping their cards close to their chests in their search for a new head coach. Both Myler, along with Adam Pearson, have both stated it will be a short process, with an appointment expected to be finalised in the near future.

It's understood Hull would prefer a British coach who knows the ins and outs of Super League. Should a new man be brought in, it will be the sixth different coach of the 2020s, highlighting the need for some stability as they look to get on an upward trajectory once again.

Read more: Hull FC's youth show spirit in St Helens but club realities stand out like sore thumb