Neil Jukes resigns as Leigh coach

Neil Jukes has left as coach of Championship side Leigh after their 26-32 defeat to Toulouse on Sunday.

Jukes took over from Paul Rowley at the start of 2016 and lead the club to promotion to Super League that year.

But despite a promising start they were relegated back to the Championship via the Million Pound game.

Owner Derek Beaumont kept faith in Jukes and allowed him to rebuild the Centurions squad in the off season.

However pressure was mounting on Jukes following defeats to Toronto, Barrow and Toulouse within the first four games of the Championship season.

Jukes said: “Since returning to Leigh I’ve been part of this Club for nearly ten years and I believe I’ve served it with distinction as assistant coach and head coach.

“We’ve had some unbelievably great times that I will never forget and also some bad times, far worse than we are experiencing at the moment.

“What is important is to get the Club and the playing group to where it needs to be and there comes a time when everyone’s lifespan on the shelf comes to an end.

“I’m a genuine local guy and no one will be more pleased than me if we achieve our Super League goal this year.”

Kieron Purtill will take over as caretaker coach with Paul Anderson as assistant.