St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf will be leaving the club at the end of the 2022 Super League season.
It will bring the curtain down on an incredible three years at the helm of the Merseyside club, in which the Tonga national boss has won two Grand Finals and one Challenge Cup.
Woolf and Saints could make that three Grand Finals in a row in 2022 if they manage to keep the likes of Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons at bay in the Super League play-offs.
For Woolf, his next destination will be in the NRL with new NRL side the Dolphins from 2023 onwards, becoming understudy to Wayne Bennett for two years before taking over as head coach himself.
It almost seems like the perfect deal for the Australian to test himself against the world’s best coaches.
Chairman of St.Helens R.F.C, Eamonn McManus said waxed lyrical about Woolf’s impact at the Totally Wicked Stadium: “Kristian has been phenomenal for St Helens for the last three years in every way and at every level.
“He has not just been at the helm during an immensely successful time for the team, but has also imbued a deep sense of honesty, trust, commitment and hard work throughout the club. We have all benefited from his presence and personality and thank him for it.
“We understand and fully respect his decision to leave at the end of the season and wish him and his family every happiness and success in their lives back home in Australia. He is an exceptional person and coach.
“We are well advanced in the selection process for a replacement Head Coach for next season and are very confident in the continuing improvement and success of our Club in the years ahead.”
It remains to be seen who Saints will appoint in the role following Woolf’s impending departure, but it will be interesting to see the developments.
