Koukash wants the ‘very best’

Salford owner Dr Marwan Koukash has vowed to bring in the “very best” following the sacking of Phil Veivers.

The calibre of the next manager appointed by the Reds owner will signal his intent going forward and a number of high profile coaches have already been linked with the vacancy.

Former Bradford, Wigan and GB coach Brian Noble and ex-Saints boss Daniel Anderson are thought to be in the frame. Meanwhile abroad, Tony Iro of the New Zealand Warriors, Kurt Wrigley and Brad Arthur are also in the running.

Veivers lasted 15 months at Salford and after winning one of the opening five Super League games and conceding 196 points, the poor form has cost him his job. The latest defeat came on Friday night when previously bottom of the table and pointless London Broncos came away with a 38-4 victory.

Koukash told M.E.N. Sport: “After watching the team’s performance against London on Friday, I knew then that I had to bring in a new coach.

“But I will appoint the very best and will look for the very best, both here and overseas. I am going to be directly involved in choosing the new coach.”

The ambitious owner was particularly disappointed with his sides performance against London: “I felt we took 20 backward steps after beating Hull KR the previous week. It was absolutely shocking, unacceptable – I had to act. I simply did not see enough effort from the players and the coaching staff and took what I felt was the correct and necessary action.

“I have come to this club to win and be successful. I will not tolerate and put up with failure. I have made it very clear, I set very high standards.”

Alan Hunte and assistant coach Sean Long have taken temporary charge of the first team ahead of their trip to Wakefield.