Hull KR boss Tony Smith has made the shock announcement he won’t be coaching the club next season.
The ex-England chief, 55, had been in talks to extend his contract which runs out at the end of the current campaign. But, catching many people by surprise, he revealed at his weekly press conference on Wednesday that he will stand down at the end of this season - hinting at a breakdown with the club hierarchy.
"I won't be coaching here beyond the end of this year," said Smith. "I'm going to step aside and hand it on to the next person to pick up. It's the best thing for the organisation.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching this special group of players and I love the support I've been given here by all of the supporters, it's been great. I haven't been able to have the influence I'd like in the entire organisation and sometimes that happens within organisations.
“Not everyone’s best friends and some people operate better without other people around and I'm hoping that's the case. It's not healthy for the club and it's not healthy for me either."
Speculation Smith would return to Leeds Rhinos, where he won two Super League titles in 2004 and 2007, was soon ended when barely an hour later the West Yorkshire club announced his nephew - ex-Bradford coach Rohan Smith - had joined on a three-and-a-half year deal.
Tony Smith had insisted: “Before anyone asks, I've not got the job at Leeds and I won't be getting announced into another job.
“It's just a decision I've come to. I haven't been in negotiations. We've not been talking about money, it's just the right thing to do."
Smith took over from fellow Australian Tim Sheens in June 2019 and helped KR avoid relegation. He has gone on to transform their fortunes, resulting in them reaching the Super League semi-finals for the first time last year.
Smith chalked up his 500th Super League game with Easter Monday’s win in Toulouse - a fifth straight victory. Assistant coach Danny McGuire could be among the frontrunners as his replacement for 2023 but Australian Anthony Siebold has also already been reported as a potential candidate.
