Martin Gleeson to leave Salford for rugby union

Drew Darbyshire

Salford assistant coach Martin Gleeson will leave the club at the end of this month to take up an attacking coaching position with Wasps in rugby union.

The 39-year-old joined Salford as a player in 2013, making 30 appearances for the Red Devils before hanging up his boots.

Gleeson then joined the club’s coaching staff and has recently been playing rugby union for Orrell.

On his Salford exit, Gleeson said: “I’m really grateful to Salford Red Devils, for giving me the opportunity to finish my playing career and start my coaching career here.

“The club, the supporters and the players have been great during my time here and I feel the team this year is the best we’ve assembled. I feel it’s the right time for me to go down a different path and pursue a different career.

“I’d like to thank Watto (Ian Watson) for the relationship and team that he’s built over the last five years. I’ve learned a lot from working with him and being at the club, which I can take forward. There’s really good chemistry within the backroom staff. I’ll be sad to leave.

“Everyone puts their ideas in and you get your say, so it’s the perfect environment for an ambitious coach to thrive.”

Red Devils head coach Ian Watson said: “Gleese has been given a fantastic opportunity to enhance his career in Rugby Union, one that’s too good to turn down at the present time.

“He’s been a really important figure within our team. All of our backroom staff have a big impact here at Salford and we have a big emphasis on the team being ours as a group.

“Me and Gleese have worked really closely throughout our time together and he’s been outstanding in everything he’s done.

“He’ll be a strong acquisition for any team he’s involved with going forward.”

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