Tuesday 27 March 2018 14:23, UK
Huddersfield Giants have sacked head coach Rick Stone and placed Chris Thorman in charge, the club have announced.
The 51-year-old was appointed in 2016 and led the Giants back into the top eight in 2017, but this season they sit second bottom of the Super League table with just two wins from their first seven games.
Thorman has been placed in immediate charge of all first team matters. It will be the second time Thorman has taken interim charge of the team - he also filled in the wake of Paul Anderson's departure in 2016 before Stone was named head coach.
Giants' managing director, Richard Thewlis, said: "It is a very difficult call for any club to make in respect of the Head Coach but the board felt that a change was needed and that the change should be made sooner rather than later with much of the season still to run.
"Rick Stone is an outstanding man, character and coach but the results for us simply haven't worked out as anyone would have wished for.
"Everyone here will be upset to see Rick leave as he is a very popular man but with this decision now made we focus on supporting Chris Thorman in the role with the recognition that we will be inundated with offers of names wanting to come in - all of which we will evaluate in the fullness of time.
"Chris understands this but he also understands that this is an opportunity for him to put himself forward too as he knows he is very highly thought of in our Club."
