Richard Agar: I’m walking out on the best job at the best club
Richard Agar says he has taken Leeds as far as he possibly can and is proud of the job he’s done with the Rhinos.
The 50-year-old has stepped down from his role as Leeds head coach with immediate effect. The Rhinos sit third from bottom in Super League having won just one of their first six games.
Agar had been in the job since the sacking of Dave Furner in May 2019. He says he had taken a selfless decision to resign from his role.
Agar said: “I’m walking out on what I believe is the best job and the best club in the game.
“It hurts and I’m upset and deflated but I feel I’m making a selfless decision for the betterment of the team.
“The bunch of players gave me one of the best days of my life when we won at Wembley but the reality is that I do not feel I have had the required impact on the squad at this time.
“Maybe I’ve taken them as far as I can and they need a new voice and some fresh ideas to help them get out of their poor performances. Maybe these guys need reinvigorating.”
Richard Agar: I’m proud and happy with the job I’ve done
Agar says he expects chief executive Gary Hetherington to be inundated with applications for the managerial role.
He continued: “I’d expect Gary’s phone to be ringing off the hook. I’m sure there will be some great coaches and great people sticking their hands up. It’s going to be a really good job to take on.
“Whether this is misguided or not, I still believe that when this team gets its troops back and finds its feet, there is plenty of time for them to achieve this year.
“I’m hoping we see a reaction this week. It might take a little bit of pressure off them for starters. We were one in six last year and we ended up a game away from the Grand Final.
“I don’t think the squad is as poor as we’re seeing at the moment. All we’ve got to do is get into the play-offs which at this stage is highly achievable.
“Of course, we’re going to need an upturn in form but I believe that’s just around the corner.
“I’m proud and happy with the job I’ve done but Leeds Rhinos need to be challenging at the top end of the league for trophies and the signs at the moment have not been good.”
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