Andy Last provides latest update on vacant Castleford head coach position

Castleford interim boss Andy Last has provided the latest update on the vacant role, insisting once more that he wants to land the permanent job.

Last led Castleford to their first win of the season last week against Leeds with a 14-8 score at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, with two tries from winger Bureta Faraimo. 

It was the second game in charge on an interim basis for Last, who worked as Lee Radford’s assistant before his departure earlier this season.

Last, 41, has made no secret of his desire of landing the permanent role. However, more than two weeks on, there has been no decision made by the Super League club as of yet, the current England assistant admits.

Andy Last on vacant head coach role

He said: “I’ve just got to keep banging the drum and try and get the best out of the group of players that we’ve got and hope we get some wins and positive performances which would hopefully be enough for the management at the club to make a decision.

“I definitely want to take it on. But as a club they need to make sure it’s the right decision for them moving forward.

“We’ve had little brief chats, basically just keeping me in the loop in regards to with the process they’re going through.

“They’re still taking applications and doing their due diligence in regards to those applicants.

“There’s plenty of applicants who have put in. They need to have a look at them and verify them and make sure they’re of the right quality.

“I’ve made no secret, I do want the head coaching position”

“And in that time, they’re checking out what’s coming in via email and CVs, I’ve just got to keep working with this group of players week to and week and leading the staff and hope that the performances are showing what I’m doing and doing well.  

“As and when the time comes to sit down with them (the management), I’m sure I will do. But I’m just focussing on week to week at the moment.

“I’ve made no secret, I do want the head coaching position. If the players keep performing as they did and show a real desire and want and the connection with what I want doing, then hopefully I get the position.

“I’ve got to try and take my personal feelings out of it as much as possible and show I’m professional because I’ve got a job to do albeit at the moment on an interim basis and in the future, if it’s as an assistant coach, then I’ll do that to the best of my ability. That’s what I feel that I’ve always done with whatever club I’ve been at.”

Next up, Warrington

Castleford take on unbeaten Warrington this Friday in Super League Round Six at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle. And Last knows an upset against former Castleford boss Daryl Powell would be a great step in the right direction for his application. 

Last’s first game in charge ended in a disappointing defeat against Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium. But improvements were there to be seen during the win over Leeds, conceding just one try in the 80 minutes.

“Warrington are a very well-balanced team at the moment,” Last said. “A big, strong powerful pack and two dynamic nines. Any sort of quick rucks, they’re prepared to run, so we need to be good in that area.

“They have impact off the bench in the likes of Sam Kasiano, who has been a handful throughout his whole career and is a very skilful big man. We’ve got a big job on our hands.

“Then in George Williams, I think they’ve got the best half-back in the competition at the moment.

“He’s just carried on his form from the World Cup. He’s really given them some strike and some quality on that left edge. And with Josh Drinkwater, he’s come in and given them a really controlled head and good kicking game.

“They’re a really well balanced team.

“It’s going to be a challenge, and we’re looking forward to that.”

Squad watch: Super League Round 6 squad news, TV coverage & predictions