Skip to content

John Cartwright left 'betrayed and disrespected' by Hull FC after departure announcement

Hull FC announced John Cartwright's tenure as head coach would cease at end of 2026 Betfred Super League season; Australian has revealed he is still waiting for the decision to be explained

Monday 13 April 2026 17:22, UK

John Cartwright remains unaware of the reasons behind Hull FC’s decision to end his tenure as head coach.
Image: John Cartwright remains unaware of the reasons behind Hull FC’s decision to end his tenure as head coach.

John Cartwright says he has been left "betrayed and disrespected" after his Hull FC exit was confirmed before the club had given him an explanation.

Hull FC announced on April 7 that head coach Cartwright would be leaving the club at the end of the Betfred Super League season.

The news came as a surprise to the 60‑year‑old Australian who, almost a week on, still has no explanation for the decision to end his tenure.

'Betrayed and disrespected'

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Cartwright said: "The club have come to a decision that they would part ways at the end of my current contract and that a six-month termination clause would be exercised.

"That's pretty much how it happened. I still haven't been given a reason, to be honest with you. I don't know. I have asked and I expect to sit down with someone in the not-too-distant future.

"When people know the facts, they can make their own mind up. For me, I probably feel a little bit betrayed and disrespected."

Twitter This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once

Cartwright took over at the MKM Stadium at the start of the 2025 campaign and helped the club to a seventh-placed finish, their highest finish since 2020.

Also See:

Hull FC, who have already started the process of hiring a new coach from the 2027 season, currently sit ninth in Super League after three wins and four defeat from their first seven matches.

"I'll still do my job. I won't do anything that will put that at risk," Cartwright added. "You ask me questions and I'll tell you the answer. That's where that sits.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the Betfred Super League Rivals Round clash between Hull KR and Hull FC.

"My loyalty and my bond with the players are something that can never be taken away.

"It took me totally by surprise. If you lose six in a row, you might feel they'd be a tap on the shoulder, but there was none of that."

2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out for

  • Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6.30pm UK (Sky Sports)
  • Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
  • Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
  • Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
  • Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
  • Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.

Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+

Around Sky

Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch more games than ever before

Not got Sky? Get instant access to Sky Sports with no contract