PAUL ROWLEY has stepped down as head coach of St Helens with immediate effect.
Ahead of Saints’ clash against Wigan Warriors on Friday night, Rowley has left his position with assistant Eamon O’Carroll taking interim charge.
Rowley, 50, was appointed on a three-year deal last October following a successful – yet turbulent – spell with Salford Red Devils.
However, Rowley’s time at the BrewDog Stadium has been up and down.
He won eleven of his first 13 matches in all competitions as St Helens briefly topped the Super League table.
But a 32-0 Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to rivals Wigan – whom they had so memorably come from behind to beat on Good Friday, in the highlight of Rowley’s tenure – sparked a sharp decline.
A run of five defeats in seven, culminating with a humiliating 46-0 home defeat to Toulouse Olympique, saw them drop out of the play-off spots altogether.
While last Friday’s 34-18 win over Catalans Dragons lifted Saints back up to sixth place, it proved to be the coach’s final match at the helm.
Rowley faced significant injury difficulties with his squad throughout the campaign, especially in recent weeks with 17 first-team players absent for that Toulouse nadir.
But the club were sufficiently concerned by performances to instigate another change.
Saints chairman Eamonn McManus said: “I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our head coach. He will always be warmly welcomed at the club.
“The decision was an extremely difficult one for all concerned, and we fully recognise the extra challenges that Paul faced with us this particular season.
“We as a club must now look forward and do all within our powers to preserve our position as the most successful club in the history of Super League and to restore our position as a silverware contender going forward.”
O’Carroll steps up as interim boss with previous head coach experience at Newcastle Thunder and Bradford Bulls in the lower divisions.
He is set to leave the club at the end of this season for an assistant coach role at Welsh rugby union side Scarlets.