Salford confirm appointment of Paul Rowley in coaching role
Salford have appointed former Leigh and Toronto head coach Paul Rowley as a coaching consultant.
Rowley, 44, has been assisting coach Ian Watson during training in recent weeks and has now been brought on in an official capacity.
Watson said: “Paul’s been somebody who I’ve known for a long time, both personally and professionally, so I’m really happy that he’s taken up my offer of working together in an advisory role.
“Paul has a wealth of playing and coaching experience at the highest level.
“With the great situation we’re in as a club going into the last four league games, it was important that the person we brought in could add quality, in terms of working and communicating with the players and backroom staff.
“This was evident when Paul came to help me in the week prior to the Warrington game, where the players enjoyed his input.
“Paul has a similar mindset in the way we play here at Salford and has a great work ethic, which is key for the team, so he will have no problem settling in.”
Rowley was the first coach of the Toronto Wolfpack, leading them to the League One title in his first season in charge.
He followed that up with the 2018 Championship League Leaders’ Shield, but left after they lost in the Million Pound Game to London Broncos.
The former Halifax hooker won successive Championship titles with Leigh in 2013 and 2014, and boasts an 80% win record as a coach.
Rowley added: “This is a really exciting opportunity, with the team sat in fifth.
“I’m pretty fresh after an extended rest and came in just prior to to the Warrington game to do some work with the forwards and the 9s in particular.
“The players were really receptive and it’s been a really good working environment, so it was a no brainer when Watto asked me to come onboard.
“Watto really has this team playing for him, in a way that you don’t see many teams playing for their head coach.
“We’ve got a very good relationship and we’ll challenge each other in a good way, to make sure we always come to the right decision.
“I’m made up for him that he’s been made a Great Britain assistant and I feel privileged to be working alongside him, with such a humble group of hard-working players.”
