Six Tackles: Potential candidates to become new Leigh Centurions head coach

Drew Darbyshire

Neil Jukes resigned as Leigh Centurions head coach on Monday and we’ve decided to look at potential candidates for the vacancy.

Kieron Purtill

Purtill was one of Jukes’ assistants at the Centurions and has now been placed as caretaker coach while the club try to find the right man to take them forward. Betfred have priced the 41-year-old at EVS to take over in a permanent role. He’s the favourite at the moment.

Tony Smith

It’s a long shot but stranger things have happened, especially in Rugby League. Smith has been out of the game for quite a few months now since parting ways with Warrington Wolves last year following an eight-year stint with the Super League club. He is highly-regarded as a coach in England and might want to get back involved with the sport. The 51-year-old is priced at 20/1 by Betfred.

Paul Anderson

Anderson is currently coach of England Knights but could be tempted to move back to club level if the offer suited him. He was Huddersfield Giants head coach between 2012 and 2016. The 46-year-old has been priced at 5/2 by Betfred.

Keiron Cunningham

Cunningham is a club legend for St Helens, playing nearly 500 games for the club in his 16-year playing career. He took over as Saints coach in 2015 but was sacked in 2017. The 41-year-old is currently head of rugby at the Centurions and may want to have another crack at coaching. Betfred price him at 7/2 to take charge.

Iestyn Harris

Harris was one of the finest players to ever feature in Super League. After retiring in 2009, he became assistant coach of the now defunct Crusaders before taking up a head coaching role at Salford Red Devils. However, he only lasted 21 games as Salford boss before getting the boot. He is currently a Rugby League pundit for the BBC but may fancy a return to coaching. Betfred price him at 8/1 to be next Leigh boss.

Paul Anderson

Yes, we’ve included two people named Paul Anderson, but they are different people! Anderson was also one of the assistants for Jukes and has stayed in his role, supporting Purtill for the time being. The 40-year-old has been in the coaching set up at Leigh for several years and may feel like he could take the club back up to Super League. He is priced at 25/1 by Betfred.

(Image credit – leighrl.co.uk / Paul McCarthy)

Who do you think will get the Leigh job? Let us know in the comments below.  

Features Iestyn Harris