Hull FC have issued a short statement saying that head coach John Cartwright will leave the club at the end of the Betfred Super League season.

The statement says: Hull FC can confirm that head coach John Cartwright will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2026 Betfred Super League season.

John joined the club during a challenging period and has played an important role in restoring stability and competitiveness on the field.

The board would like to place on record its sincere thanks for John’s contribution during his time with the club.

John will continue to lead the first-team squad for the remainder of the current campaign, and has the support of the full club as we work together to finish the season as strongly as possible.

To minimise speculation, the club can confirm that they are in the process of securing the services of a new head coach for the 2027 season onwards, and will provide a further update in due course.

Richie Myler – Chief Executive Officer

One particular name has been reported elsewhere as the man who will replace the former Australian international, but no confirmation has come from the club yet.

Cartwright was, of course, appointed by former chairman Adam Pearson and had arrived at the club before the takeover by current owners Andrew Thirkill and David Hood, but during current CEO Richie Myler’s tenure as Director of Rugby.

The popular Australian took over after the disastrous 2024 season and fashioned the team into an uncompromising outfit, getting them within a whisker of the coveted top 6 playoffs last year.

It is generally thought that he was placed under pressure after a poor start to this season with just one win in their first four Super League games, before back-to-back wins against Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons appeared to steady the ship.

However, another Hull Derby defeat on Good Friday was seen as a big blow, although obviously not terminal with his departure now being shelved until the end of the season, rather than immediately.

What is certainly undeniable about the club’s frustrating start to the season, which has seen them knocked out of the Challenge Cup and currently languishing outside the playoff places, is the mitigating factor of the amount of injuries he has had to contend with.

In their last match, the Airlie Birds were lacking ACL victim Will Pryce, as well as Cartwright’s son Jed, Herman Ese’Ese, Harvey Barron, Jake Arthur, Yusuf Aydin, Brad Fash and also lost John Asiata, Arthur Romano and possibly Joe Batchelor during the derby match.

That eye-watering injury list on its own would be catastrophic enough, but is also compounded by the fact that the Black & Whites have also lost rugged prop forward Liam Knight who returned home to Australia after just two games this season.

No matter what happens for the rest of this season, it can definitely be said that he will leave the club in a far better condition than when he first arrived, something which many fans have certainly expressed their gratitude for.

Written by Ian Judson (site contributor & Hull FC fan)