In case you missed the huge breaking news earlier today, St Helens have announced that head coach Nathan Brown will leave the club at the end of the current season.
Brown will head back to Australia for family reasons, after successful spells in charge of both the Saints and Huddersfield Giants. And whilst attention may be on Brown’s next move, the spotlight will also be on the vacancy he has just created at Langtree Park.
There are plenty of candidates who will have their name thrown into the mix, both in England and abroad. So with that in mind, TotalRL.com have decided to get in early, and profile four men that might just be in the running for the job.
(PS; at this stage, we’re just guessing!)
Kieron Cunningham
Arguably the favourite to step into the role Nathan Brown has vacated could be St Helens legend – and current assistant boss – Kieron Cunningham. The former Saints hooker has worked under Brown for a while, and he would certainly act as a popular choice amongst fans. But is he going to be the man that the club opt for when they name Brown’s replacement in the coming weeks and months?
Paul Anderson
After Nathan Brown departed Huddersfield to head to St Helens, could the Giants’ current boss be on the radar of the Saints too? Anderson is no stranger to St Helens of course, having played there for two seasons, including playing a key role in their all-conquering 2006 side. He’s done a good job at Huddersfield, turning them into a consistent top four side – but would a move across the Pennines be in the offing?
Anthony Griffin
Looking further afield, if the Saints are going to look at an NRL coach to replace Brown, could former Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin be on their radar? Griffin has just left the Broncos after four seasons in charge of the club, where he guided them to within one game of the NRL Grand Final during his first season in charge. He has been replaced by Wayne Bennett and is out of work – is Griffin a realistic target for the Saints?
Daniel Anderson
They say that you should never go back in sport – but would a return to St Helens for Daniel Anderson be welcomed by Saints fans? After all, Anderson oversaw the dominance of the 2006 domestic season, when the Saints claimed every prize on honour to blitz all those around them. That year they were Super League champions as well as Challenge Cup winners – and Anderson hasn’t coached for a good few years. Currently working at Parramatta, would a return to coaching in England interest him?