View from the Commentary Box - Salford Red Devil’s
When the season finished few if any Salford fans would have predicted what would have happened next.
The news of Richard Marshalls departure will be hard to take for some, he has stated many times his ambition to coach at a higher level and fans of the club would accept through gritted teeth if this came to pass if he had departed for a NRL or elite Super League club.
Ian Watson had already rejected a move from Hull Fc to secure his services last month many thought the Salford project would run for another season at least and with the financial situation improved because of the CVA and another attempt at glory would have taken place.
Unfortunately it wasn’t ment to be.
The challenge for Salford is to continue the progress made under Ian Watson with a new face incharge.
There are lots coaches being linked to the Salford job, coaches who are experienced, who have had big jobs before. Tim Sheens a ex director of football at Salford and Brian McDermott will feel they have the know how to continue Salford’s rise to the top of the game.
Salford are a opportunity club and historically give coaches who are looking to make the big step up from Assistant Coach to Head Coach. Ian Watson followed this process and with with Ian Henderson of Warrington or Richard Marshall of St Helens both great coaches waiting for opportunity to take a top job this could be the moment they take that step up.
There are many names being linked to the Salford role Danny Orr who recently left Castleford is looking for a opportunity to be a Head coach, his style of play as a player, his mum being a Salford fan and his growing reputation in the game may be the answer for The Red Devil’s.
The lower divisions in the rugby league pyramid is full of talent, James Ford of York City Knights, Danny Ward from London Broncos who also helped Ian Waton assist Wayne Bennitt as Great Britain coach are real contenders.
Ex Salford player Stuart Littler is currently coach at Swinton Lions, he has experienced success on a limited budget at the lions. Is he a dark horse in this race for the top job?
Australia is a hot bed of young coaches looking for opportunities. Ipswich Jets joint Head coaches Ben and Shane Walker experienced a prolonged period of success with unorthodox methods with possession football rather than speed it’s high intensity stuff and will be a thrill a minute but is Super League and Salford ready for that type of rugby. Will they come from left field to take the job?
Also in Australia ex Salford player John Cartwright is currently assistant coach at Brisbane Broncos, but with a coaching reshuffle at the Broncos involving Ex Castleford coach Terry Matterson will he fancy a new challenge at a old club?
Will Ian Blease and Paul King look to recruit from within?. Paul Rowley is a vastly experienced head coach with Successful stints with Leigh and Toronto on his portfolio. As coaching consultant at the club Salford’s form picked up resulting in Grandfinal and Challange Cup appearances. Was Paul Rowley the real driver behind Salford’s recent success?
It’s going to be a very interesting next few weeks for Salford as the hunt for the new coach hots up.
Pictures by Steve McCormick York City KnightsDavid Martin 2020
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