St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has departed the Super League club, with his exit announced just before the team's derby match against Wigan Warriors. Rowley's departure comes less than a year after he took the helm.
Rowley, 51, joined St Helens before the 2026 season, having previously coached at Salford Red Devils. Under his leadership, St Helens has faced challenges with form and an ongoing injury crisis, currently sitting sixth in the league table and six points behind leaders Leeds Rhinos. The team has lost six of its last 10 matches across all competitions.
Club chairman Eamonn McManus acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating, "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." He added that the club must now focus on maintaining its status as the most successful in Super League history and a contender for silverware.
Assistant coach Eamon O'Carroll has been appointed interim head coach. The club commended Rowley for his contributions during a demanding period.
Rowley took over a St Helens team that had dominated domestic rugby league, achieving four consecutive Super League Grand Final wins and a World Club Challenge victory in the years prior. His predecessor, Paul Wellens, did not have his contract extended after the previous season, which included a significant comeback victory over Leeds Rhinos in the Super League play-offs.
Rowley's tenure began with a Challenge Cup win but was followed by a Super League opening defeat to Warrington. Despite winning 10 of their next 11 matches in all competitions, the team's performance has since declined. A notable Easter derby comeback win against Wigan was followed by a Challenge Cup defeat to the same rivals. St Helens has also suffered significant losses, including a 46-0 defeat to Toulouse earlier this month, jeopardizing their playoff chances.