Legend Edwards is back as Wigan boss ... but not just yet!
WIGAN Warriors legends Shaun Edwards and Adrian Lam have been named as the club’s new coaches.
Edwards - who made more than 450 appearances for the club - will return as head coach for the 2020 season and beyond after the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup.
Current Sydney Roosters assistant boss Lam will be the interim head coach until then.
Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said: “Shaun Edwards is a legendary figure in both codes of rugby as a supremely gifted player and as a highly successful coach.
“He is an inspirational figure, a born leader and a winner at everything he has turned his attention to. He also has Wigan Rugby League Club in his blood.”
On the appointment of Lam, executive director Kris Radlinski added: “Adrian Lam’s reputation as one of Australia’s brightest coaches is one that we as Wigan fans should also be very excited about.
“There are many parallels with when Michael Maguire came over as an assistant coach from the Melbourne Storm to lead the club, so Adrian’s year with Wigan promises to be an exciting one.”
There has been significant speculation Lam will bring son Lachlan with him when he arrives at the DW Stadium. The 20-year-old halfback has yet to make his NRL debut for the Roosters, but represented Papua New Guinea at last year’s Rugby League World Cup and is one of the most highly-rated prospects Down Under.
The coaching announcements concluded a busy day for the Warriors, who also confirmed John Bateman will leave at the end of the season to go to the NRL - but has also signed a contract to return to Wigan as a marquee player.
The 24-year-old loose forward is believed to be joining Canberra Raiders - alongside current teammate Ryan Sutton and childhood friend Elliot Whitehead - and Wigan say they have received a significant transfer fee.
But Bateman has agreed to return when his NRL contract, initially for two years with the option for a third, expires.
“This has been an incredibly tough decision for me as I have enjoyed my time at Wigan so much but, ultimately, I have always had the desire to play in the NRL so this is something I didn’t want to turn down,” said the England international.
“Wigan did all they could, in my opinion, to keep me here but I was always upfront with them regarding my motivation to play in a different competition.”