Leeds Rhinos: Six potential candidates to be next head coach
Following the departure of Richard Agar, we’ve picked six potential candidates to take over the head coaching role at Leeds Rhinos.
On Monday, Richard Agar took the decision to step down from his role as Leeds Rhinos head coach.
We’ve taken a look at six potential candidates who could take over at Headingley…
Ryan Carr
There was talk last year of Carr taking over the coaching reins from Agar at Headingley – but nothing ever materialised.
Carr is a familiar face to Rhinos fans, with the former Featherstone coach enjoying a spell as assistant to Agar two years ago.
Carr left Featherstone at the end of the 2019 season to return home to Australia to join the backroom staff at NRL side Parramatta Eels.
Danny Ward
Ward has been seeking a head coaching role in rugby league since leaving London Broncos midway through the 2021 season.
The former Great Britain international did a tremendous job with the Broncos, steering them to promotion into Super League.
He has recently taken a new role on the coaching team at rugby union side Rosslyn Park.
Ward made more than 100 appearances for the Rhinos during his playing career, and would no doubt jump at the opportunity to coach them.
Ellery Hanley
This selection is a bit left-field. Hanley will be an outsider for the job but what a coup it would be if the Rhinos could pull it off.
The rugby league legend is one of the greatest to ever play the game. Hanley scored 106 tries in 114 appearances as a player for the Rhinos.
He recently returned to coaching with the Combined Nations All Stars. He will lead the All Stars against Shaun Wane’s England in June.
Hanley led St Helens to Grand Final glory in 1999. Could we see him return to full-time coaching?
ALL STARS: How the Combined Nations All Stars could line-up under Ellery Hanley
Kevin Sinfield
Sinfield is Leeds Rhinos through and through. He was director of rugby at the Rhinos until last summer when he decided to take up a coaching role with Leicester Tigers in rugby union.
The 41-year-old made more than 500 appearances for the Rhinos, scoring almost 4,000 points in an incredible career.
Could Sinfield return to Headingley as the club’s saviour?
Danny McGuire
Another club legend on this list.
McGuire scored 267 tries in 416 appearances for Leeds during his playing days. He also won 19 caps for Great Britain and England.
After hanging up his boots, McGuire has built up a good reputation as a coach. He is currently assistant coach to former Rhinos boss Tony Smith at Hull KR.
Is it time for him to become a head coach?
Shaun Wane
Wane has one of the most impressive coaching CVs in the game.
He won three Super League Grand Finals, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Challenge in his eight seasons in charge of Wigan between 2011-18.
Former Great Britain international Wane also enjoyed three seasons with Leeds during his playing days.
Wane is currently preparing for the end of year World Cup with England and he returned to Wigan in a leadership role in the off-season.
Would Wane be keen on a return to being a Super League head coach if Leeds come calling?
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