Wigan confirm Noble exit

Wigan have confirmed that Brian Noble will leave the club after the club fell out of the Super League play-offs this evening.

Noble, who saved the club from relegation in 2006 and took the club to within eighty minutes of the Grand Final in the past two seasons, is widely expected to take the vacant coaching role at Celtic Crusaders.

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said: “It has been a difficult decision not to offer Brian an extension to his current contract.

“I have the greatest regard for his absolute professionalism and he and I have worked together closely and well. However, we believe on balance that it is now time for change at Wigan to progress to even higher levels and to achieve the trophy-winning success which our fans rightly expect from a club of Wigan’s heritage and squad potential.

“Change is necessary at some point in all businesses and there are obvious precedents of Head Coaches leaving at the end of their contract period in Super League at the two most successful clubs of the past 5/6 years – St Helens and Leeds.

“Brian leaves with our best wishes for his future and our thanks for the very professional way in which he has led the team and conducted himself. He will perhaps be best remembered by Wigan supporters for the incredible run he and the team put together in 2006 to escape relegation and almost make the playoffs.”

An announcement on who will take over the reins at the DW Stadium is to be given at a press conference next Wednesday.