Agar steps down as coach of Rinus

Richard Agar’s determination to step down as Rhino’s head coach adopted their defeat to Salford Crimson Devils within the Petfried Premier League on Friday, which took them one win in six video games; Jimmy Jones-Buchanan has been in cost for 50 years as interim head coach

Richard Agar steps down as Leeds coach

The membership has introduced that Richard Agar has resigned as Leeds supervisor with quick impact, with Jimmy Jones-Buchanan quickly taking cost.

Agar’s determination to relinquish the place he has held for the previous three years got here after the Rhino’s 26-12 defeat away to Salford Crimson Devils in final Friday’s Betfried Tremendous League match left them with only one win of their first six video games of the 2023 season.

The 50-year-old, who led Leeds to glory within the Problem Cup in 2020, will stay at Headingley in a job to be decided, whereas his assistant Jones-Buchanan steps in to take cost of the group in Saturday’s Cup sixth spherical match. At dwelling for the Castleford Tigers with the assistance of Sean Lengthy and efficiency director Richard Honowix.

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Betfried Premier League match between Salford Crimson Devils and Leeds Rhinos

“Once I took over as the pinnacle coach three years in the past, I agreed [then-director of rugby] Kevin Seinfeld and [chief executive] Gary Hetherington that I’ll achieve this with the understanding that I may help transfer the group ahead.”

“I agreed to a renewable six-month contract and was completely happy to proceed whereas we have been making progress. Nonetheless, I do not really feel like I’ve the impression I want I had on the group.

“I’m happy with our file over the previous three years. The membership was in a troublesome state of affairs after I took over, preventing relegation earlier than going through the unprecedented challenges of Covid and a group wracked by accidents final season.

“On the pitch, we gained the Problem Cup at Wembley, reached the play-offs within the final two seasons and witnessed the emergence of various promising younger gamers.

“I actually consider we now have a powerful group that has the potential to ship this yr. They work exhausting in coaching day by day however sadly that does not get outcomes and finally that accountability falls on me.”

Former Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity Agar coach joined the Rhino in 2018, initially in a participant improvement function, however was later appointed accountable for the primary group on a short lived foundation after David Furner was sacked simply six months into his tenure.

He then took the job full-time and oversaw their first Problem Cup win in 5 years as Leeds beat Salford 17-16 at Wembley within the pandemic-affected 2020 marketing campaign, in addition to guiding them to play the Premier League. from final yr’s semi-finals the place they misplaced to the eventual winner of the Grand Closing St Helens.

However a troublesome begin to the 2023 marketing campaign noticed Agar’s determination to step down, as he gained seven Grand Finals, the previous Leeds striker and Sky Sports activities Buchanan, a rugby league professional, now has an opportunity on the prime place after becoming a member of the membership’s teaching employees after retiring on the finish of the 2019 season.

Jimmy Jones Buchanan will take cost of the Leeds Problem Cup match in opposition to Castleford

Rhinos chief govt Gary Hetherington has pledged the membership will undergo a “mass recruitment course of” for a brand new head coach, however has not set a timetable for appointing a everlasting successor to Agar and thanked him for his efforts, with the main focus now on Jones – Buchanan’s first recreation this weekend.

“Often with a distinction in that state of affairs, it is easy to pinpoint causes for a dip in one thing like this, however in our case, it is exhausting to work out,” Hetherington mentioned.

“The groups have been effectively ready each week, the spirit throughout the group was sturdy all through, our coaches and backstaff labored tirelessly to offer our gamers with wonderful assist. We began the season with what we thought was a really sturdy squad. An impressive group of gifted younger gamers, however we merely did not flip that round. to group performances.

“This Saturday we host Castleford Tigers at Headingley and the Problem Cup provides one other alternative to begin our season. All our focus will probably be on this recreation after which St Helens the next week as we return to the Premier League matches.

“Jimmy Jones-Buchanan is happy about his new alternative and I’m positive he’ll convey the identical ardour, enthusiasm and expertise to this new function as he has demonstrated all through his profession.”