Salford keen to tie down head coach Paul Rowley long-term
Salford are set to tie up coach Paul Rowley on a long-term contract as a reward for guiding the unfancied Red Devils to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final.
Despite working on one of the lowest budgets in the game, the former Leigh and Toronto boss transformed Salford from relegation candidates to title contenders in his first season in charge. His side were edged out 19-12 in Saturday’s semi-final by reigning champions St Helens.
Rowley and his assistant Kurt Haggerty are already under contract for 2023 but will be offered new three-year deals, although Rowley has confirmed that his other assistant, Danny Orr, is leaving the club.
“I went in with an open mind,” said Rowley, who succeeded Richard Marshall at the end of 2021 when the Red Devils finished next to bottom.
“They could have given me a six-month deal, it didn’t bother me. I’ve never really gone into a deal thinking about protecting the exit bit of it. I don’t worry about stuff like that.
“Me and Kurt are contracted for next year but I think the club recognise we might have done a decent job and might want to do something a little bit different with us.
“We’d welcome that. We’re both chilled and really happy with the group and the club. If somebody would just give us a shedload of money we’d be even happier.”
TRANSFORMED: Clarity from top to bottom: How Paul Rowley has transformed Salford
Paul Rowley enjoying the ride with Salford
Rowley might be set for a pay rise but he does not expect to have any more cash to spend on his squad as Salford continue to live from hand to mouth in the absence of a wealthy benefactor.
“We’ll rock up and just go again, that’s the way it will be,” he said.
“Nobody is coming in with a money tree. Whatever struggles we’ve had this year we will have again next year.
“By November, December I will be moaning about the training pitch, that it’s not fit for cattle. But we train on it. Other clubs won’t be having that.
“So the journey we’ve been on is remarkable.”
PODCAST: Gil Dudson on Catalans red mist, winning Wigan, World Cup fears and reigniting Warrington
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast