Richard Marshall named new head coach of Salford Red Devils replacing Ian Watson who left the club last month; Marshall said: "I'm really excited about joining the club"; prop Greg Burke sign two-year contract extension
Wednesday 2 December 2020 17:21, UK
Richard Marshall has been named the new head coach of Salford Red Devils, replacing Ian Watson who left the club last month.
Marshall joins from St Helens, where he was part of the Super League Grand Final-winning coaching staff last week as an assistant to Kristian Woolf, his second title with the team having previously been an assistant to Justin Holbrook.
The 45-year-old replaces Watson who made a surprise exit from Salford early last month to become head coach at Huddersfield Giants on a three-year deal.
Marshall, 45, said: "I'm really excited about joining the club. I've been really impressed by the organisation and everyone I've met.
"The ambition of the club aligns with my own, which makes this a perfect role for me.
"I learned a lot in recent years, from Justin Holbrook and Kristian Woolf at St Helens and as a head coach in my own right, so I think I've got the skills necessary to be successful.
"Now, I can't wait to meet all the players and get stuck into pre-season."
Director of rugby and operations Ian Blease said: "Richard has really impressed us, and it's already clear that he has bought into the vision of the Club.
"He joins us from a successful club with a winning culture, having won two consecutive grand finals during his time at St Helens.
"While he was a head coach, he also proved his ability to build a team and we're looking forward to seeing what he can achieve with us."
Marshall left Saints with the blessing of Woolf, having made clear his ambition to be the head coach of a Super League side.
"I am really happy for Rich," Woolf said. "He has worked hard over the last few years and has been part of a Grand Final-winning team under two coaches."
Prop Greg Burke became the first Salford player to commit to the club since Marshall was appointed head coach after he signed a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
"Greg's a tough, resilient player, who's proved himself to be an asset with ball in hand," Marshall said.
"From the reports I've had, he's also the kind of character that every club needs, so I'm looking forward to working with him."
Burke said: "To do what we've done in two years has been unreal. We've gone from the middle-eights to reaching the Grand Final and the Challenge Cup final and now we've got to keep competing."
