Salford Red Devils have announced that Paul Rowley will become the club’s Head Coach ahead of the 2022 Betfred Super League season.
Rowley joined the Red Devils as a Coaching Consultant as the Red Devils progressed to the Betfred Super League Grand Final before becoming the club’s first Head of Rugby Development, Talent & Pathways throughout the 2020 season.
The former England international lifted the Betfred Championship twice as Head Coach at Leigh Centurions between 2012 and 2016 before guiding Toronto Wolfpack to promotion from Betfred League 1 in 2017.
On becoming Head Coach, Rowley commented: “I’m excited for the challenge, I’m refreshed from having a break from coaching.
“I want to lift standards at the club throughout and create a different environment – one that walks a little bit taller. I want our players to understand what being a Salford player is about, both on and off the pitch.
“The support is phenomenal and quite often it does bring a tear to your eye when you come out. The Salford fans are unbelievable, they’re integral to the club and this club belongs to the fans. They’ve always been our heartbeat.”
Danny Orr will remain an Assistant Coach at Salford while Kurt Haggerty also joins the club as an Assistant after a run as Interim Head Coach at Leigh Centurions from June 2021.
On the appointment, Haggerty said: “I am very happy to be joining Salford. It is a club I have admired from afar over the last couple of years. I’m really excited to get started and to meet all the players and I’m looking forward to working alongside Paul once again and seeing where this journey can take the club.”
Orr added: “I’m really looking forward to working with Paul and Kurt. Paul knows the Club well and I’ve enjoyed working with him already this past season.
“Kurt has brilliant coaching experience and I think our practice and knowledge of the sport will go hand in hand with each other.”
Rowley commented: “I’m looking forward to working with Danny, he’s a genuine lad with a great work ethic, so a perfect fit for our club.
“I’ve known Kurt for many years as both a player for me and a coach alongside me. He’s a true rugby enthusiast and strategic thinker that I have trust in and therefore his addition was integral in my decision to become head coach.”
Director of Rugby and Operations Ian Blease added: “I’m excited to watch where this new coaching team, led by someone who already knows this great club well, Paul Rowley, will take Salford Red Devils over the next few seasons.
“The players have already bought into what the coaching team want from them and there’s a positive feel to the place as we get ready for pre-season.”
“Paul, Kurt and Danny know just how much Salford Red Devils means to its loyal fans and I am certain they will make sure our lads leave everything out on the pitch every week.”
