Image source, swpix.comImage caption, Hull FC announced last week that John Cartwright would be leaving the club at the end of the season
- Published22 minutes ago
Outgoing Hull FC head coach John Cartwright says he has not been given a reason for why they have opted to part ways with him at the end of the season.
The Black and Whites announced last week they would not be renewing the 60-year-old Australian's contract.
Cartwright took over on a two-year deal after the 2024 season, when the team won just three of 27 matches, and led them to seventh in 2025.
"It wasn't mutual, put it that way," he told BBC Radio Humberside when asked why he was leaving the club.
"I still haven't been given one (a reason), I have asked and I expect to be able to sit down with someone in the not too distant future.
"When people know the facts they can make their own mind up but for me I feel a bit betrayed and disrespected."
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Media caption,Cartwright: 'It wasn't mutual, put it that way'
In a candid interview Cartwright said he had not had a "major" fallout with the board prior to them making the decision.
It has been widely reported that former England and Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara will be coming in as his replacement.
Cartwright confirmed that he expects the Warrington assistant to take over at MKM Stadium at the end of the year.
"I believe it's done. The information was leaked and I found the timing of that awkward," he said.
"I've got nothing against Steve McNamara at all, it's just the business we're in, but I thought the timing could have been handled better."
'A training session wouldn't have been of any value'
Cartwright led the Black and Whites to a seventh-placed finish, three points off a play-off place, last season.
He said that they had cancelled last Tuesday's training session after he told the team about his exit.
"There was a pretty emotional meeting when I addressed the players," he said.
"The coaches left the room and the players decided to stay. In all honesty it wasn't the type of atmosphere where a training session would have been of any value so I decided to call the day off.
"They needed to go and chat amongst themselves. I haven't asked what was said, it's not my business. I think they had some grievances that they wanted to talk about and I don't know if they have been addressed either."
The former Gold Coast Titans head coach said that despite his own situation he would not allow the season to be "wasted".
"We've got to make sure we win as many games as we can," he said.
"It's ridiculous to waste a season. We're sitting two points out of the top six."
Ninth-placed Hull FC next welcome Challenge Cup semi-finalists St Helens on Thursday.
