In a stunning revelation, outgoing Hull FC head coach John Cartwright has expressed feelings of betrayal and disrespect after the club's decision not to renew his contract. The announcement, made last week, has left the 60-year-old Australian searching for answers he says he has yet to receive.

Cartwright took the reins ahead of the 2025 season, inheriting a team that had won just three matches the previous year. Under his leadership, Hull FC clawed their way to a respectable seventh-place finish, just three points shy of the Super League play-offs—a significant turnaround that makes the club's decision all the more puzzling.

"It wasn't mutual, put it that way," Cartwright stated bluntly in an interview with BBC Radio Humberside. "I still haven't been given a reason. I feel a bit betrayed and disrespected." He confirmed there was no major fallout with the board prior to the decision, adding to the sense of confusion surrounding his departure.

Complicating matters further, reports have swirled that Steve McNamara, the former England and Catalans Dragons head coach, is lined up as his replacement. Cartwright acknowledged he believes the deal is done, but criticized the handling of the news. "The information was leaked and I found the timing of that awkward," he said. "I thought the timing could have been handled better."

The emotional toll was evident within the squad itself. After informing the players of his impending exit, Cartwright made the decision to cancel a training session. "There was a pretty emotional meeting," he recounted. "It wasn’t the type of atmosphere where a training session would have been of any value."

This kind of behind-the-scenes drama is a stark reminder of the high-pressure, results-driven world of professional rugby league. For the players and staff at Hull FC, navigating this period of transition will require immense mental fortitude—a quality just as crucial as physical strength on the field.