Former Wigan Warriors coach interviewed alongside Justin Holbrook for new role

Super League has seen just two coaching dismissals this year with the first coming after round three as Lee Radford left Castleford Tigers, whilst the latest happened on Sunday evening with Daryl Powell being relieved of his duties at the Halliwell Jones and as teams on both sides of the world prepare for 2024 it seems that the coaching carousel is in full swing.

Whilst there is only one vacant job in Super League, that being at Warrington, there’s a number of none permanent head coaches in the NRL and with some side’s playoff hopes having died off for 2023 teams are understandably looking to 2024.

As such there is a race for the top coaching talent, one man at the top of that list being former St Helens coach Justin Holbrook, and Holbrook is the betting favourite for the Wire job as per Betfred.

He’s also highly touted for jobs down under after having been sacked from Gold Coast Titans earlier this season and it had been reported over the weekend by the Sydney Morning Herald that Newcastle Knights had contacted Justin Holbrook for talks.

The Knights’ current boss Adam O’Brien, who is a 6/1 shot for the Warrington job, was told of these talks but it has still left doubt over his future despite reassurances from the club that he is their man for 2024.

Fox League’s James Hooper has since reported that as well as meeting with Holbrook that the Knights have also met with former Wigan Warriors’ boss Michael Maguire.

The situation is very blurred with the club having assured O’Brien of his future but having met with Holbrook and Maguire among others, what it means for Warrington Wolves is also unclear but given the allure of the NRL it could be assumed that it means Warrington will get whoever the Knights don’t move for.

Whether that is Holbrook, O’Brien, a shock return to Super League for Maguire, or somebody else it’s all very open but it is expected that Warrington will take their search for a head coach down under given the lack of high profile names in the UK at the moment.

The betting odds also reflect that with the top of the market being dominated by the best and brightest of the NRL.

A full list of prices for the Warrington Wolves next permanent Head Coach can be seen below as per Betfred (prices right as of 17:00 on 31st July)

Justin Holrbook – 6/4

Anthony Griffin – 2/1

Adam O’Brien – 6/1

Justin Morgan – 7/1

Richard Marshall – 9/1

Lee Briers – 10/1

Brett Hodgson – 12/1

Steve Price – 12/1

Shaun Wane – 16/1