St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has stepped down with immediate effect, the Betfred Super League club have announced.
Rowley’s departure, less than a year into the job, comes amid a difficult season and just a day before the club face arch-rivals Wigan at the Brick Community Stadium.
Assistant coach Eamon O’Carroll will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.
Saints chairman Eamonn McManus said in a statement: “I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our head coach. He will always be warmly welcomed at the club.
“The decision was an extremely difficult one for all concerned, and we fully recognise the extra challenges that Paul faced with us this particular season.
“We as a club must now look forward and do all within our powers to preserve our position as the most successful club in the history of Super League and to restore our position as a silverware contender going forward.”
Saints are sixth in Super League and in danger of missing out on the play-offs for the first time in the competition’s history.
They dropped out of the top six after a dismal 46-0 home loss to Toulouse – which increased the pressure on Rowley – earlier this month, but returned to play-off positions after last week’s 32-18 defeat of Catalans Dragons.
Rowley did have to contend with an extensive injury list at a club in transition, but some supporters had become frustrated by the team’s style of play.
The 51-year-old was appointed on a three-year contract at the start of the season after leaving financially-stricken Salford, where he had impressed despite off-field turmoil. The former England hooker had previously coached Leigh and Toronto.
The club have not indicated when they intend to appoint a permanent successor.
