LAST: I WANT A RESPONSE FROM STARS
ANDY Last says he needs to see a response from Hull FC’S players before committing to whether he wants to succeed Lee Radford as head coach.
Today sees Last mark the end of his fifth week as interim head coach of the Black and Whites, a role that has almost become ceremonial due to the coronavirus lockdown.
While a handful of training sessions did take place before Super League followed football’s lead in bringing a halt to all activity, Last has spent the past month making plans on how he wants to make changes at FC when the sport resumes, but with a frustration that he doesn’t know when he will get a chance to work with his players.
And it’s those first few weeks after the resumption which could have a big say on the direction Hull take.
The Mail understands FC owner
Adam Pearson is not averse to handing the reins to Last, and despite accepting the position as England assistant coach, Last is open to taking over full time.
Neither party will rush into the decision, and Last has admitted it would be foolish for either side to commit until he has had a chance to prove himself.
“From my point of view I will do the FC job in the short term and we will see how it goes,” Last told the Mail.
“I will see if I get response from the playing staff. It would be stupid to stick my hand up and say I want the job and they give me it now, then when we start up again the players don’t perform to the best of their abilities.
“It makes sense to wait and see. It makes a sense for myself and Adam to take time, to take a breath, reflect and see how we go. I’m sure if we start up again and we see that response then me doing the job in the long term is something Adam will consider and I will consider. If that’s the case, we’ll cross that bridge of my England role when we come to it.”
Questions have been raised as to whether Last can remain in the England set-up if appointed as fulltime FC head coach, with some suggestions the announcement on Wednesday means the 38-year-old is not in contention for the position at the KCOM Stadium. Hull have made tentative enquiries about a replacement for Radford, but no talks have been held and with Last’s England role confirmed prior to
Radford’s departure, the club see it as a great opportunity for a young coach to learn and it won’t affect his chances of taking on the role permanently.
Asked if he would be comfortable combining both roles, Last says it is a question for further down the line, but one he has broached with England head coach Shaun Wane.
“It’s something I have thought about and I have spoken to Shaun about it too,” adds Last. “There have been no guarantees from a Hull FC point of view in terms of the head coach position. We are playing it by ear and if there’s a conversation to be had down the line then we will.
“This is a great learning opportunity for me to work alongside one of the best coaches there has been in Super League. He is very supportive and we’ve spoken and he’s given me some ideas and tips on areas I should be working on if I take the head coaching role. He’s someone I hope I can use as a mentor this season.”