Diminished impact of Lee Radford forced Hull FC into making change

Head coach Radford, 40, was relieved of his duties immediately after Thursday’s dismal 38-4 home defeat against Warrington Wolves, signalling the end of a seven-year reign.

It was a fourth defeat in five games for the East Yorkshire club and Pearson was deeply concerned by the manner of the lacklustre display.

Granted, Radford is a hero in the west of Hull having ended their Wembley hoodoo and won back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2016 and 2017.

But he has failed to take them to Old Trafford yet and, with the level of investment made this term, Pearson expected more.

“Speaking to Lee after the game, I think even he was of the opinion the timing was probably right,” said Pearson.

“The performances weren’t getting better and, although we had a lot of big lads still missing, that just wasn’t an acceptable level of performance.

“There was no other alternative really. To me, the chemistry between Lee and the side wasn’t there. I would never say he’d lost the dressing room – that’s not the right way to describe things – but some relationships in there could have been better. Seven years, though, is a long time to hear the same voice and, in the end, things might just need an injection of newness; a fresh voice. And seven years without a break, I think Lee needs some time, too.”

Assistants Andy Last and Kieron Purtill will take charge this morning and start preparations for Thursday’s televised game at Huddersfield Giants.

Pearson said he will “take his time” to make a decision on a new coach and hopes that duo’s experience will allow him to do so.

Former Kangaroos forward Craig Fitzgibbon, the Sydney Roosters assistant who spent two enjoyable years playing with Hull in 2010 and 2011, is an obvious candidate. But Pearson will do “due diligence” and still expects the squad to be challenging come the end of the season.

He defended his decision to talk about the dismissal in a live television interview just minutes after Thursday’s game culminated and corrected the misconception that he announced the decision before telling Radford himself.

He said: “I would never have done that. I went to see Lee straight after the game and we had 10, 15 minutes talking.

“I don’t think he was surprised (by the decision). I told him ‘I think that’s it.’ And he said ‘yes, I agree.’ He always said to me he’d know when it was time to go.

“Seven years in one (coaching) job is a long time in any sport especially with the power of social media and the way people are these days. He’s got broad shoulders and taken a lot of stick, most of it unjustified.

“He’s had a really good innings and we should always remember what he has done for this club; his legacy is winning at Wembley and back-to-back Challenge Cups which no one has ever done with Hull. I asked him to tell the players and all the guys first.

“Sky needed an interview so I said I’d handle Sky for him and he said ‘great’.”