EXCLUSIVE: We take blame for McNamara's exit says Lynch

He was released early from the remainder of his contract with the club yesterday, apparently taking the fall for an eight-match losing run, their worst since suffering 10 successive defeats in the 1972-73 season.

McNamara – appointed as England chief in April – had been due to leave at the end of the season to take up the international role on a full-time basis.

But the former Super League champions' current malaise has seen them slip to 10th and prompted fears they may miss out on the play-offs for a second successive year.

The club acted after a hastily-convened board meeting on Monday night and McNamara, promoted from assistant after Brian Noble's move to Wigan in 2006, informed the squad yesterday morning before training of the shock decision.

"I think everyone was surprised," prop Lynch told the Yorkshire Post.

"It was gut-wrenching to hear and Steve found it hard telling us.

"He was a bit emotional knowing what we've done for him and what he's done both for us and the whole club but we'll

move forward now and Steve can concentrate on England.

"We do accept though, after this recent run, the decision was probably more down to us as players.

"Macca's not the one out on the field; we're the ones who've gone out there and played inconsistently."

Assistant Lee St Hilaire will take caretaker charge until the end of the season with long-serving clubman Paul Medley also stepping up to help as Bradford aim to arrest the slump against fellow strugglers Salford City Reds at Odsal on Sunday.

St Helens coach Mick Potter remains the favourite to be installed for 2011 with an announcement due within the next week.

The West Yorkshire club could have released McNamara in April and demanded compensation from the RFL, who wanted the 38-year-old to start in the England role immediately.

But, with the vibrant squad then unbeaten in six games and on the verge of the top four, they decided to hold onto the former Hull FC forward in the hope he could inspire a first title success since 2005 or lead them to Wembley.

However, Warrington edged them out of the Challenge Cup and mounting injuries have not aided their league cause with star signing Matt Orford ruled out for the season with a shoulder problem last month, severely hampering McNamara's already small squad.

Lynch and fellow England international Jamie Langley have also spent time on the sidelines, their absences coinciding with the Bulls' alarming dip in form.

They have not won since victory over Wakefield on May 14 and are in danger of eclipsing their horrors of 1963 when the club went 11 games without success before actually disbanding.

Despite this, with six fixtures to go, they are only one point off the play-off spots and Lynch is confident they can rally in time to reach the top eight.

McNamara, meanwhile, has endured the indignity of being in charge of his country without being wanted by his club but is ready to prove his credentials at the top level.

"There's a lot of work to do and I'm very excited that I now have the chance to channel all my energies into England," he said, having got off to a fine start with a 60-6 triumph over France in June.

"I'm a little bit sad to be leaving Bradford because the club has been such a big part of my life.

"I have some great memories from my time at the Bulls, both as a player and as a coach.

"A lot of good work has taken place over the last four years and I firmly believe that strong foundations are in place for the next coach to take the club forward."

Those foundations include a thriving Academy system which McNamara overhauled on his arrival and has seen four products make their Super League debuts this term.

In a statement, Bradford said: "The club thanks Steve for his commitment and unstinting hard work as head coach since 2006.

"His legacy at the club is a youth development system that will pay dividends for the club for many years to come."