Super League Coaches Under the Microscope in 2025: Top 7 Under Pressure

Coaching in the Super League is never without its challenges. Whether it’s chasing silverware, battling to avoid relegation, or winning over skeptical fans, every coach faces unique pressures. With the 2025 season approaching, certain head coaches find themselves under intensified scrutiny, driven by club expectations, recent performances, and ambitious recruitment efforts. Here’s a look at the seven most under-pressure coaches in the Super League for 2025.

7. Willie Peters (Hull KR)
While Willie Peters has built some goodwill during his tenure at Hull KR, he’s under pressure to translate near-success into trophies. After falling short in both a Challenge Cup final and a Super League Grand Final, the Robins’ fans are eager for tangible results in 2025. Peters has had two seasons to establish his vision, and now the expectation is to take Hull KR to the next level and finally secure a championship.

6. Danny McGuire (Castleford Tigers)
Super League legend Danny McGuire steps into the Castleford Tigers’ head coaching role for 2025 after serving as an assistant. Following Craig Lingard’s surprising exit, McGuire inherits a team that has shown incremental improvement despite limited resources. However, even in his first year as head coach, the Tigers’ faithful expect progress. McGuire must navigate these challenges while keeping the momentum going for a team often punching above its weight.

5. Luke Robinson (Huddersfield Giants)
Having spent years with the Huddersfield Giants, Luke Robinson has goodwill from the club and its fans, but that goodwill hinges on results. After consecutive disappointing seasons, Robinson’s debut as a full-time head coach comes with heightened expectations. Despite a thinly resourced squad, supporters will demand improvement. Another subpar season could quickly erode the patience surrounding his appointment.

4. Steve McNamara (Catalans Dragons)
After a lackluster 2024 campaign, Steve McNamara finds himself in unfamiliar territory: under pressure. The Catalans Dragons’ head coach has earned immense respect for his seven-year tenure and the club’s overall growth during that time. However, after the high of reaching the 2023 Grand Final, 2024’s underperformance was a stark disappointment. With strong off-season recruitment, Catalans must aim higher this year, making McNamara’s margin for error razor-thin.

3. John Cartwright (Hull FC)
Newly appointed Hull FC coach John Cartwright faces immediate pressure to transform the club’s fortunes after several lackluster seasons. Hull FC’s heavy recruitment drive for 2025 has provided Cartwright with the tools to succeed, but success must come quickly. The club’s supporters, disheartened by past struggles, are eager for results, leaving Cartwright with a daunting but clear mandate: rebuild the team and deliver.

2. Brad Arthur (Leeds Rhinos)
Despite a relatively steady stint in 2024, Brad Arthur enters 2025 facing heightened expectations at Leeds. With a full pre-season under his belt and new signings handpicked to suit his strategy, excuses will be scarce if results don’t improve. The Rhinos have underachieved for several seasons, and Arthur must guide them back to consistent contention. Anything less than significant improvement could trigger doubts about his long-term future.

1. Paul Wellens (St. Helens)
At the top of the list is Paul Wellens, head coach of St. Helens. After enduring the club’s worst season in over three decades in 2024, Wellens is under immense pressure to restore Saints to their lofty standards. Injuries hampered the team last year, but with key signings from the NRL and fresh coaching staff, fans and the board alike expect a sharp turnaround. Failure to meet expectations in 2025 could put Wellens’ tenure in jeopardy, with many already questioning his suitability for the role.

As 2025 unfolds, these seven coaches will be closely watched as they navigate the demands of their clubs and fans. Some will rise to the challenge, while others may find the pressures too great to overcome.