Steve McNamara was appointed Catalans Dragons head coach in June 2017 Catalans Dragons have announced the sacking of head coach Steve McNamara, over a month since he last led the side. The former England coach's last game in charge was the 40-0 Super League defeat by St Helens on 15 May, with Joel Tomkins leading the team on an interim basis in their past five games. However, until Monday Les Dracs had not formally confirmed McNamara, 53, would be leaving his post. During his eight years in charge he guided them to their first ever Challenge Cup success in 2018 and two Grand Final appearances. In a statement,,externalCatalans thanked McNamara for his "commitment and the success he achieved". "After eight years, and without questioning his qualities, the Catalans Dragons have decided not to continue their collaboration with their head coach Steve McNamara - a decision that has been accepted by him," the club said. The French side ended a seven-game losing streak with a32-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturdayand are five points off the play-off places. They face a trip to Wakefield Trinity this weekend. More to follow.
Catalans confirm sacking of head coach McNamara
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"Catalans Dragons Announce Departure of Head Coach Steve McNamara"
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Catalans Dragons have officially announced the termination of head coach Steve McNamara, following a challenging period for the team. McNamara, who took the helm in June 2017, has been a pivotal figure in the club's history, leading them to their first-ever Challenge Cup victory in 2018 and guiding them to two Grand Final appearances during his tenure. Despite these achievements, the team's recent performance has been disappointing, culminating in a heavy 40-0 defeat to St Helens on May 15, which marked McNamara's last match in charge. Since that loss, Joel Tomkins has stepped in as interim coach, overseeing the team's efforts as they struggled with a seven-game losing streak prior to a recent 32-0 victory against Huddersfield, although they remain five points away from a playoff spot.
The decision to part ways with McNamara comes after a period of reflection by the club's management, who expressed gratitude for his dedication and the successes he brought to the team. In their official statement, the Catalans Dragons acknowledged McNamara's contributions but deemed it necessary to seek a new direction moving forward. As the team prepares for their upcoming match against Wakefield Trinity, the focus will likely shift towards finding a suitable replacement to rejuvenate the squad and build on the recent win, as they aim to improve their standing in the league and pursue a playoff position this season.
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