Since Leeds Rhinos hired Salford’s Sporting Director Ian Blease, questions have arisen about whether Paul Rowley will also move to the Headingley club. Rowley has now reiterated his position on the matter.
Ian Blease was confirmed as Leeds Rhinos’ Sporting Director just over a fortnight ago, sparking two weeks of speculation surrounding Paul Rowley. This speculation intensified after the dismissal of Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith on Wednesday.
Smith and the club parted ways after two years, during which he took over in 2022 and led the team to a Grand Final. However, a lackluster 2023 season and an inconsistent 2024 campaign led to his departure.
Despite Smith’s dismissal, the club was just outside the playoffs, indicating that the season is still very much salvageable. This has created an urgent need for the club to find a new head coach as soon as possible. However, Paul Rowley has reiterated that he will not be the one to take on the role, once again dismissing speculation about leaving Salford.
Rowley Knocks Back Leeds Rhinos Talk
The Salford boss appeared on The Bench Podcast with Jenna and Jon this past week, where he addressed various questions, including the obvious one about whether he would switch to Leeds Rhinos.
In response, Paul Rowley said: “It’s a hypothetical question, Jenna, because you could ask me that about any club in the country. I’ve had no contact with Leeds Rhinos.”
When asked specifically if he had spoken to Ian Blease about the possibility of moving to Headingley, Rowley stated: “I’d speak to Ian Blease if I see him in the pub and he says, ‘go get me a pint’ or something.”
This response wasn’t sufficient for hosts Jon Wilkin and Jenna Brooks, who pressed the issue further. Rowley then clarified that no contact had been made.
“No, absolutely nothing, and to be fair, they’ve got a big week ahead, haven’t they, for all the reasons we already know, so I’m not going to go into that. I’ve got a big week as well.”
What qualities contribute to Paul Rowley’s effectiveness as a head coach?
Credit: Imago Images
Paul Rowley has led the current Salford team to fifth place in Super League despite losing key players like Brodie Croft, Andy Ackers, Ken Sio, and Joe Burgess in the off-season. The club recently achieved a rare double over St Helens for the first time since 1980, which Rowley attributes to his enduring passion for rugby and coaching.
He explained, “I’ve always been passionate about playing rugby, but coaching has allowed me to stay involved in the game after my playing days. Seeing my players succeed brings me more joy than my own achievements. It’s incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, and that fulfillment keeps me inspired to work harder for them.”
Rowley emphasized his deep connection to the team and their supporters, stating, “I genuinely love this team and our fans. That love and dedication make it difficult for me to imagine leaving.”