Derek Beaumont takes “full responsibility” for Leigh slump
Leigh owner Derek Beaumont says he takes full responsibility for their troubled start to the season.
The Centurions, relegated from Super League via the Million Pound Game last season, have lost five of their first six games in the Championship and parted company with coach Neil Jukes a fortnight ago.
They are still without a permanent head coach, with Kieron Purtill filling in for the defeats against Featherstone and Halifax.
In a statement, Beaumont said: “I would like to place on record that despite what may be being speculated about myself and Leigh Centurions that I am still very much involved in the fight to get this Club into the top four of the Betfred Championship from where it can kick on to regain its place in Super League.
“It is a challenge that is becoming increasingly more difficult but is not insurmountable at present. I take full responsibility as the owner of the Club for the position it finds itself in.
“Ultimately any decisions the Club has made have been under my leadership and I have agreed with them and enabled them to happen.
“I believed we were making the right decisions to build a youthful, energetic squad that could return us to Super League and enable us to then build something for the future.
“Most people agreed that is what we had done but at the moment we are not seeing that on the field.
“That said I still believe there is the quality of players required to finish in the top four and I am actively, along with Keiron Cunningham, trying to find the right person to appoint as head coach to lead the group into some self-belief and confidence.
“This is proving to be difficult but I am committed to adding further financial support to make an appointment.”
Leigh signed no fewer 20 players in the off-season with 15 heading for the exit door, as well as signing Bryson Goodwin who moved to Warrington for an undisclosed fee after the Centurions relegation from the top flight.
They take a break from Championship action this weekend with a Challenge Cup date against Batley Bulldogs.