Radford set to replace Gentle as head coach at Hull FC

HULL FC are expected to confirm a change of head coach today.
Peter GentlePeter Gentle
Peter Gentle

Speculation has been rife ever since Thursday’s embarrassing 76-18 play-off defeat at Huddersfield that Peter Gentle may lose his job.

Hull-born assistant Lee Radford, a former Airlie Birds player, is expected to be officially promoted to the main role after chairman Adam Pearson apparently lost patience with the squad’s inabilities under the Australian.

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Ex-Hull FC stand-off Paul Cooke – who will be player-coach of Championship club Doncaster in 2014 – is also set to join a new staff at the KC Stadium on a part-time basis two days a week as the owner looks to bring a more local feel to the East Yorkshire outfit.

Former Hull captain Sean Long may yet feature, too, as he was earmarked as Gentle’s replacement if the club had lost their Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington in July.

The Black and Whites, however, won that match and he survived but the dismal 16-0 loss against Wigan Warriors at Wembley was the beginning of the end.

They scraped a sixth-place finish and then uncovincingly edged past Catalans Dragons in the first round of the play-offs before that awful defeat at Huddersfield. Given the level of investment made by Pearson with the recruitment of players such as England star Gareth Ellis and Exiles stand-off Daniel Holdsworth, so much more was expected.

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Radford, 34, only finished playing two years ago and came out of retirement last Easter to help the club through an injury crisis.

But the ex-Bradford Bulls prop has been applauded for his work with Hull’s youngsters and is seen as the right man to take them forward with former team-mate Motu Tony readied to become director of rugby following Shaun McRae’s return to Australia.

Gentle arrived from Wests Tigers in 2011, where he had served a decorated apprenticeship under Tim Sheens, and extended his three-year deal by 12 months only last September.

But the 47-year-old apologised for their dire Wembley showing and had to do so again after last week’s hideous play-off exit with Pearson actually offering those who travelled a discount on tickets next year.

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In a statement he said: “The obvious failings of such a performance have highlighted why we will now undertake a significant review of all areas and matters involving the first-team squad.”

That could mean changes in the club’s strength and conditioning team, too, as Pearson looks to rip up his previous plans and start afresh.

It will be a bold move releasing Gentle, especially as the coach had overseen all of Hull’s recruitment for next season and beyond. However, it appears Pearson will not accept any more showings like those seen last week.

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