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Sculthorpe blasts TV sacking of Radford as a pure ego trip for owner
PAUL SCULTHORPE has launched a scathing attack on Hull FC owner Adam Pearson over his shock sacking of Lee Radford.
Minutes after a thumping 38-4 defeat by Warrington, Pearson went live on Sky TV to announce his decision to fire his coach.
But former Great Britain international Sculthorpe (inset) was among a host of leading figures to condemn Pearson’s interview.
Sculthorpe tweeted: “Unbelievable... in fact disgraceful. Can’t sack someone live on TV #egotrip”.
Pearson has since clarified that Radford was informed before the interview, but his family and friends were unaware and watching at home.
Pearson has gone on to pay tribute to the work
Radford did while in charge at the club, which included breaking the Black and White’s history-long Wembley drought in 2016 and retaining the Challenge
Cup the year after.
Pearson said: “As a player and a coach, Lee has undertaken his role at the club with an incredible amount of passion, loyalty and integrity.
“The image of Lee lifting the trophy at Wembley will be an iconic moment in the club’s history and he will carry that honour as his legacy. “However, in recent weeks we have been unable to produce the level of performances our supporters expect and demand.
“We have a responsibility to make the right decision for the club and our supporters
Which player broke the £1million transfer record in England when he moved from Birmingham to Nottingham Forest? 2. Who scored for Wimbledon in their 1-0 FA Cup final defeat of Liverpool in 1988? 3. Who is Leeds Rhinos’ head coach? 4. In which year was the Ryder Cup first contested? A: 1927; B: 1929; C: 1933. 5. Who was the first England bowler to take 300 Test wickets? and it feels like the right time to make a change.”
Pearson has placed assistant coaches Andy Last and Kieron Purtill in charge of the first-team squad on an interim basis.
Aussies Shane Flanagan, Nathan Brown and former Hull favourite Craig Fitzgibbon are among the first coaches to be linked with the post but Pearson is set to take his time to find Radford’s successor.