Hull target Lam happy at Leigh and in no rush to sort deal

LEIGH LEOPARDS head coach Adrian Lam has stressed that he is in no rush to make a decision on his future amid talk of a move to Hull FC.

The former Wigan Warriors boss, who is out of contract at the end of the year, has been approached by the Black and Whites about potentially replacing Tony Smith in the MKM Stadium hot seat after top target Paul Rowley turned down the opportunity.

Lam guided Leigh to Super League in his first season in 2022 before leading the club to Challenge Cup glory and a fifth-place finish last year.

"I'm relaxed about the whole situation," said the former halfback, whose side are ninth after 10 rounds of this season.

"Any smart person would have gone in straight after the Challenge Cup final and signed a fiveyear deal last year but I'm dealing with everything on a week-to-week basis.

"I was linked with the Souths job last week, Hull this week, probably someone else next week. My conversations have always been around the focus being on this team and club.

"We're not comfortable where we sit on the ladder and I don't want to get too caught up in negotiations with clubs that may be of interest or where there’s speculation. I'm forever having conversations with Derek (Beaumont, Leigh owner) and the club about my situation as coach. Nothing will change in a week or a month. It might take three months, I'm not sure."

Hull were left looking for a new head coach after Smith paid the price for a disastrous start to the season.

Former Halifax Panthers boss Simon Grix has stepped up from his role as an assistant on an interim basis as new director of rugby Richie Myler continues his search for Smith's successor.

Asked whether the Hull position interested him, Lam replied: "I haven't had any thoughts on those lines. As a professional, in any walk of life, if you’re off contract you have to speak where the opportunities are, that’s just common sense.

"What we have done here as a group since my arrival in 2022 has been an amazing journey so far and I've had some of the best times of my life here.

"When you think about what we've achieved here in the Championship and the Challenge Cup last year, I've had some really good times here. So it's a position I'm grateful to be in."

Meanwhile, Hull have signed Wigan prop Tiaki Chan on an initial two-week loan.