Hull FC: "Gentle to be sacked" claim denied

CLAIMS Hull FC have already decided to release head coach Peter Gentle at the end of the season have been denied to the Mail by sources this morning.

The Daily Star claims Hull owner Adam Pearson will release Gentle early from his contract which still has two years left to run.

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   Adam Pearson, left with Hull FC coach Peter Gentle

   
   

The Star says Pearson has taken the decision on the back of a poor points return in the league and will replace Gentle despite the Aussie still having a chance of becoming the first Hull coach to win a Wembley Challenge Cup final.

It was also claimed Pearson has already drawn up a shortlist of candidates and will swing the axe at the end of the current campaign.

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The Mail contacted Hull to discuss the reports, with the club insisting they won’t be making any comment on the speculation.

However, a source well connected to the club has told the Mail that while Pearson is not happy with Hull’s league position, he has made no decision to replace Gentle.

Gentle is a popular coach at the club and despite both Pearson and the Aussie admitting Super League results have been well below standard, it is thought he will still be given a chance to prove he can turn the club’s poor form around.

Last Friday’s 72-10 demolition of Widnes and the Challenge Cup semi final triumph over Warrington have strengthened his position after a desperate run of poor results.

Speculation over Gentle’s future comes just days after it was confirmed FC’s director of rugby Shaun McRae will leave the club at the end of the season to return to Australia.

In a club statement, McRae said the time was right to return home to be with his family.

McRae, who coached Hull between 1999-2004 and helped rebuild the club after the Gateshead merger, was one of Adam Pearson’s first appointments in 2011.

A popular choice as director of rugby, he oversaw the recruitment of head coach Peter Gentle and players including Gareth Ellis and Jacob Miller. His departure was widely expected.

Hull FC: "Gentle to be sacked" claim denied