Ian Watson: Huddersfield Giants sack manager with immediate effect ahead of Super League clash with Leigh Leopards | Rugby League News

Huddersfield Giants and Ian Watson have parted ways; Huddersfield sit eighth in Super League after 16 games and face Leigh Leopards this weekend; Watch Leigh Leopards vs Huddersfield Giants live on Sky Sports Mix on Saturday at 3pm

Huddersfield Giants have axed head coach Ian Watson with immediate effect ahead of their clash with Leigh Leopards on Saturday.

Watson joined Huddersfield ahead of the 2021 season and has signed a new four-year deal in 2022 but will not be in charge of the club when they face Leigh – live on Sky Sports Mix at 3pm on Saturday.

Huddersfield were hammered 48-0 by Warrington Wolves last Friday in a performance Watson labeled “embarrassing”.

“Following today’s scheduled monthly meeting, the club has stood down head coach Ian Watson with immediate effect,” Huddersfield Giants said in a statement.

“Luke Robinson will take charge of the team ahead of the Betfred Super League game at Leigh at the weekend. Neither the club nor Ian will make any further comment.”

Huddersfield reached the Challenge Cup final in 2022 and finished third, but have largely struggled since then.

Their defeat at Warrington last Friday was their seventh in eight games in an ongoing season.

“I don’t think there’s anything to express (the disappointment),” Watson said after the game.

“It’s embarrassing for who we are as a professional rugby league club. It’s not good enough.

“The one thing I will say, there have been a lot of people who have been very sick this week. It is not good enough for the organization we want to be.

“We talk about being a good club but we’re not willing to put in the effort to be that. There are guys who have been very ill. They’ve been in A&E being checked out.”

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