Castleford Tigers have confirmed head coach Terry Matterson will leave the club at the end of the season.
Castleford head coach will depart at end of season
Castleford Tigers have confirmed head coach Terry Matterson will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 44-year-old Australian joined the Tigers ahead of the 2006 campaign and has overseen an upturn in fortunes, taking the team from relegation candidates to their current seventh place in the engage Super League table.
"I think it's time to move on," said Matterson. "I've had a fantastic time at Cas and I'm proud of the growth the club has experienced in my time.
"I've overseen the development of some outstanding juniors at Cas and I'm content on leaving the club in good shape."
Matterson is expected to return to Australia at the end of the campaign with a view to joining the staff of an NRL club.
Praise
Castleford chief executive Richard Wright was full of praise for the outgoing coach.
"Terry has brought a level of professionalism to the club that is required at this level," he said.
"He has guided us to become a competitive force in Super League and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
"Meanwhile, our aims are to secure a home play-off draw and to make the Wembley cup final.
"We remain are in a position to meet those aims and we will be fully focused on doing so."
Contenders
Matterson's departure was anticipated and Hull KR's Australian boss Justin Morgan and former Great Britain head coach Brian Noble have already been linked with the post.
Morgan, 35, Super League's longest-serving coach, is contracted to Rovers until the end of 2012 but is not expected to see out the current campaign after recently coming under pressure to turn around the club's flagging fortunes.
Noble, 50, is currently acting as a consultant to Halifax but has made no secret of his desire to return Super League and the Championship club will not stand in his way.
The former Bradford, Wigan and Crusaders head coach has been without a club since leaving the Racecourse Ground at the end of last season.
Matterson's assistant Andy Hay, the former Leeds and Castleford second rower, could also be a candidate.
