BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: Salford coach Paul Rowley has decided against a move to Leeds and is staying with the Red Devils.
Leeds are on the hunt for a new head coach after sacking Rohan Smith and appointing Australian Brad Arthur only until the end of this season.
The Rhinos want Rowley to be their coach for the start of 2025 and beyond, and have made him their number one target.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands Leeds approached Salford for permission to talk with the former Leigh and Toronto boss, which was granted.
But the Red Devils made it clear Rowley would not be released early from his current contract under any circumstances, which runs through until the end of 2025.
And in a major coup for Salford, it is believed the ex-England international hooker is happy at the greater Manchester club.
Rowley declined to comment when contacted.
The 49-year-old has been in charge of the Red Devils since the start of 2022 and is contracted there until the end of the next year.
He has been offered a long-term extension to stay at Salford and it is hoped he is likely to accept the new contract, tieing him to the Red Devils, in the coming months.
Rowley has done a fantastic job with Salford on a limited budget.
The Red Devils currently sit inside the semi-finals places in sixth spot on the Super League table.
The club has won 11 of 18 games so far this season.
Under Rowley Salford finished sixth in 2022, reaching the major semi-final, and seventh last year.
Last night it was announced Rowley’s assistant coach, Krisnan Inu, had penned a new five-year deal to stay with the Red Devils.
Inu is a close confidant of Rowley. In a statement, Inu said: “Happy to have inked a deal to stay. Linking up with Paul & Kurt played a key role in making my decision, and keeping this coaching team together was an easy yes.”
Earlier this year Rowley knocked back a move to Hull FC after the club axed coach Tony Smith.
Salford declined to comment when approached.
