Potter to leave Saints at season’s end

St Helens have announced that coach Mick Potter will leave the club at the end of the season.

Potter, in his second season at Knowsley Road, has expressed a desire to coach in the NRL Down Under and means last season’s Grand Finalists must now hunt for a new head coach for the second time in three seasons, following Daniel Anderson’s departure at the end of 2008.

Saints chairman Eamon McManus said: “Mick has explained to us he has ambitions of possibly securing a place in the NRL and we wish him well in his endeavours.

“He has been a great asset to our organisation and he will be successful wherever he goes.”

McManus said the club would begin a search for Potter’s successor in the coming weeks but at this stage had not had contact with any prospective coaches.

Potter, who was named Super League coach of the year in 2008 and took the Catalans Dragons to the Challenge Cup final in 2007, said the time was right for a new challenge.

“It’s always been my intention to one day coach in the NRL and it’s something I truly believe I am ready for,” Potter said.

“We’ll see what unfolds down the track but at the moment my focus and my priorities are with Saints.

“Winning the Challenge Cup and a Premiership are well within our capabilities and it would be a great way to go out.”