Warriors won’t block McNamara move

Warriors managing director Jim Doyle won’t stand in Steve McNamara’s way to coach Catalans Dragons.

The Warriors assistant coach is wanted by the French-based Super League club to be its next head coach.

He has been part of the Warriors set-up this year, having been hand picked by head coach Stephen Kearney to join him at the club.

While the former England coach gladly came to the Warriors, his family remained in the UK, so the chance to head north and take charge at a Super League club was understandably too good to turn down.

Although he’s contracted to the Warriors, Doyle said the club would do the decent thing and let him leave once terms between Catalans and McNamara are agreed.

‘‘I know they’ve approached him and they’ve asked him,’’ Doyle said.

‘‘He’s things.

‘‘He’s mentioned it to us and we’re talking to him about timing and that sort of thing.

‘‘It’s not something we could say ‘tough luck, you’re contracted to us,’’’ Doyle added.

‘‘First and foremost you wouldn’t want to stand in someone’s way who’s got an opportunity as a head coach.

‘‘We were the same with Brisbane, Stephen was contracted to Brisbane for this year, but because he was offered the job as a still working through head coach they didn’t stand in his way. So it would be pretty bad for us to stand in his way. His family is also still up in the UK, so we’re working through that if Steve finalises something he’s comfortable with, then we’ll work through the timing.’’

With players who’ve wanted to leave the Warriors early, the club has had a policy of not granting a release until a suitable replacement has been found.

Doyle said that thinking won’t extend to the coaches, although they will look for a replacement.