Right choice is the best choice, says McDermott

Brian Noble’s appointment at Salford City Reds has seen the number of English coaches rise to eight while Castleford Tigers also admit they would “prefer” a domestic candidate.

It is further encouraging news given the traditional obsession with Australian appointments.

Yorkshireman McDermott, who has won successive Grand Finals with Leeds, has spoken out in the past about the issue.

He said: “I have never really eluded to it that they have got to be British; it has always got to be the best man for the job.

“When I’ve talked about this before I’ve stressed and clarified if it’s overseas and an Australian, or a Kiwi, or a Tongan or South African... whoever’s the best man for the job deserves to get it.

“It’s when British coaches aren’t getting the interviews to start with which was my issue. To assume your average British coach isn’t up to standard because of history is wrong.

“If the next coach of Castleford is English, then good, but if he isn’t I‘m sure Castleford will choose the best man for it.

“I don’t have any issue with anybody’s accent or where they’re from as long as they enhance Super League and are doing our competition a service.

“When you come to Super League you have got to coach the team you are paid to do, but also have a responsibility to our competition as we’re not where we need to be.

“That’s got to be something the owners of clubs have to instil in their coaches.

“But there’s a fair few (British) now and a fair few British coaches doing well also, not floundering.”

McDermott, meanwhile, has been fined £500 by the RFL for comments made after this month’s win at Catalan.

He revealed he had been punished for “criticising officials and criticising the way the game was refereed”.