Six contenders to be new Huddersfield head coach

The Giants confirmed the immediate departure of coach Simon Woolford on Wednesday, with assistant coach Luke Robinson taking interim charge.

Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis says the club have already begun to receive expressions of interest for the head coaching role starting in 2021.

READ: Simon Woolford leaves Huddersfield with immediate effect

Six potential candidates to be Huddersfield’s new coach:

Luke Robinson

Robinson has been appointed interim coach for the Giants and will no doubt want to impress while he is in the hot seat. The 36-year-old retired from the game in 2015 but has been in the coaching staff ever since. The former England international could be set for his first head coaching role.

Chris Thorman

Thorman is the current head coach of League 1 side Workington and is thought to be one of the best young English coaches in the game. He spent several years as assistant at the Giants before taking on the head coaching role on an interim basis before Simon Woolford arrived at the club. He appears to be happy and settled at Workington though.

Brett Hodgson

This could be a surprise shout but Hodgson is the current assistant coach to Michael Maguire at Wests Tigers in the NRL, and could be tempted by the top job at Huddersfield. The Australian became a fan’s favourite at the Giants in 2009-10, where he scored 16 tries and kicked 182 goals in 51 games.

Kieron Purtill

Purtill was assistant coach to Paul Anderson at Huddersfield for a number of years before departing the club. The 43-year-old previously coached Leigh and Widnes before linking up with Super League side Hull FC to be part of their backroom staff.

Anthony Seibold

Seibold parted ways with Brisbane earlier this year and has previously coached South Sydney in the NRL. He was even coach of South Wales Scorpions once upon a time! He has won 31 out of 67 games in charge of a team in the NRL but a new coaching gig might be a little bit too soon for him.

Richard Marshall

Marshall is another top English coach who is highly respected in the UK rugby league circles. The 44-year-old is currently assistant to Kristian Woolf at St Helens, where he seems comfortable. He did a superb job as Halifax head coach between 2015-19, and has impressed even more since going to Saints.

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