BRIAN Noble has ended a week of intense speculation by quitting Super League champions Bradford Bulls to take over as head coach of ailing Wigan.
The 45-year-old Great Britain boss becomes Wigan's 10th coach in as many years, succeeding Australian Ian Millward, who was sacked nine days ago following the Warriors' worst run for 24 years.
Noble met with Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay at the weekend and finally split with his home-town club - after virtually 28 years unbroken service - following a two-hour meeting with Bradford chairman Peter Hood.
It followed a breakdown in his relationship with recently-appointed chief executive Gareth Davies.
Noble, who was contracted to Bradford up to the end of next season, takes over a Wigan side rock bottom of the table with just one win from their first 10 matches.
He will be in charge for the game at Huddersfield, ironically his last opponents as Bradford coach, on Saturday when Wigan will be seeking to avoid losing eight successive league matches for the first time since 1899, when they lost a club record 14 spread over two seasons.
Noble will be succeeded at Bradford by his assistant Steve McNamara, who recently turned down the chance to become head coach of his former club Hull.
Challenge
At 34, McNamara will become the youngest head coach in Super League and takes charge for Sunday's visit to Warrington.
Noble said: éWigan is both a great challenge and a great opportunity.
éThe club has a special place in rugby league history and most people in the game would like the opportunity to be in charge.
éI have had the most wonderful time at Bradford, both as a player and a coach, and I have enjoyed my time immensely.
éThe club has wonderful fans and we have also had some great players and it has been my privilege to have been involved with them.é
Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said: éThis is great news for the club. We were pleased to get the opportunity to secure the services of a coach of Brian Nobleés calibre.
éI have known Brian since his days as a player and his commitment to the game is second to none.
éWe have told him that he will have all the support in the world, including time, to restructure the side and make Wigan competitive again.é
What do you make of the appointment? Have your say.
Comments
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let him get on with it and give him 100% backing from the top downwards
GREAT NEWS FOR WIGAN !!!!!!!!
I am a Warriors fan thru and thru (good times and bad) We REALLY do need Brian Noble but I fear he has just commited career suicide as Dave Whelan and his puppet Maurice Lindsay will stab him in the back in a heart beat if he doesnt produce the MIRACLE needed to save Wigan this year. Good Luck Brian (I hope I am proved wrong) We Love you Brian and so sorry to you Bullies out there
Karen Roberts
Brian and the Wigan fans had better start to memorise the routes to Whitehaven, Batley, oldham and Rochdale in readiness for next season.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving club!
Noble is an awesome coach and I am very sad to see him leave Bradford Bulls. I have every confidence he will turn the situation around at Wigan. His has achieved so much for us and i'm disapointed Gareth Davies (recently appointed Bulls Chief Executive)and Nobby couldn't sort things out. It's great news for Wigan and its exactly what they needed to get them out the trouble they are facing at the moment.