Huddersfield Giants have confirmed that head coach Paul Anderson and assistant Kieron Purtill have been stood down with immediate effect, with Head of Youth Andy Kelly taking immediate charge of all first-team matters.
Huddersfield chairman Ken Davy said: “It is with great sadness that we make this change involving two individuals who have previously taken the Club to its greatest achievements since the “Team of All Talents”. Unfortunately the simple fact is that the results this year have not been satisfactory and the Giants are not performing to the level that anyone associated with the Club expects. We are not a hiring and firing Club by nature and we have done everything possible behind the scenes to support the team and the staff in their quest for success.
“The search for a new head coach begins now however we are fortunate to have a man so highly respected in all areas of the game as Andy Kelly to take the first-team forward in the very immediate future.
“It is usual in statements such as these to end with the club will be making no further comment but I believe that Paul in particular deserves more than that.
“He has been at the Giants for nearly ten years now with almost four as Head Coach and has been at the heart of our rise to the top end of the table and I know he has been as disappointed as anyone regarding our performances and has strived night and day to improve our results. Paul is an excellent coach and I have no doubt that he will soon be back in the game and both he and Kieron are immensely respected for the work they have done at the club.
“This is another sad day for all concerned with the Giants in what has been a dark and difficult period for the club but it is also the day we draw the line in the sand and move forward with the united aim of turning losses into wins and putting smiles back on the players, staff and supporters faces.”
