Barrie McDermott sad to see Dave Furner depart Leeds

Leeds legend Barrie McDermott was sad to see that it didn’t work out for his former team-mate Dave Furner as coach of the Rhinos.

Furner was sacked as head coach of Leeds on Tuesday after winning just four out of 14 games in Super League this term.

The Rhinos currently sit 10th in the table, just two points above bottom-placed London Broncos.

Reflecting on Furner’s sacking, McDermott wrote in his column for skysports.com: “My initial thought is one of sadness.

“Having played with Dave Furner and spoken to him a number of times since he came back, I know he was desperate to make this work.

“But I also know the people involved, the management, were desperate to make this work because he fitted all the criteria – ex-player, understood the club, and understood the expectations.

“They’re in 10th, their league position isn’t good enough, and they’ve won four and lost 10, which by the Rhinos’ standards is not where they want to be, so I’m a little bit sad it hasn’t worked out.

“I know everyone involved wanted it to work, but the facts are there for all to see.”

Richard Agar has been put in charge of the Rhinos on an interim basis as the club seeks a replacement for Furner.