Leeds Rhinos icon Barrie McDermott names ‘best man’ for head coaching role

Leeds Rhinos legend Barrie McDermott has floated Brad Arthur and Jason Demetriou as potential successors to Rohan Smith – but insists Salford boss Paul Rowley is the best man for the job.

The eight-time Super League champions are looking for a new head coach after Smith left Headingley by mutual consent on Wednesday, ending a tenure that lasted just over two years.

Former prop McDermott, who helped the Rhinos to their first league title in 32 years when they beat Bradford Bulls in the 2004 Super League Grand Final, believes some of the vitriol aimed at Smith in the final days of his reign his exceeded the mark.

Said the Sky Sports pundit Loves Rugby League: “It was a meeting on the left when Rohan Smith was brought in – but he certainly made a difference when he came on.

“At the end of 2022, the Rhinos made a grand final and looked like they could threaten anyone. From there they didn’t let go and eventually it got to a point where it seemed inevitable that Rohan would leave.

“It wasn’t a case of if — it was a case of when — and I feel sorry for Rohan in a lot of ways because it didn’t go the way he wanted it to. He wanted to play the game a certain way and when it clicked and everyone was on the same page, it was a really innovative style.

“I look at teams like Salford and Leigh and they try to play in a similar way but their success rate is better than the Rhinos. All of us who follow the Rhinos were frustrated because when it went wrong, it went disastrously wrong.”

Last week’s dismal 18-10 defeat at Hull FC proved Smith’s last game in charge and prompted a fierce reaction on the terraces.

McDermott added: “It seems it’s not just the fans who have lost faith in the way Rohan wanted to play, but also the players wearing the Leeds shirt.

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“Some of the things I saw on social media weren’t right, but that’s the world we live in. Rohan is a good guy who did his best and came across as someone who cared about his players and wanted to have fun.

“But a lot of the way rugby league is played hasn’t changed for a very long time and trying to change that is a big change. Wigan and St Helens have different ways of winning games – toughness with the ability to entertain.

“The short tee shots, the little tricks – the shortcuts – are things that shouldn’t be the basis of your game plan. It’s always sad when someone loses their job, but Leeds Rhinos are a big club and I’d say the biggest in the British game.

“The expectations there are very high because they don’t just expect to be in the finals, they expect to win finals.

“Leeds brought in a number of significant signings in the off-season which made me think they could certainly be a top six team, but maybe a top four team. However, they don’t come close to it.”

As chief executive Gary Hetherington and sporting director Ian Blease consider their options, McDermott believes there are three standout candidates.

“I don’t know the budgets or the availability, but I’d say it’s either Paul Rowley, Jason Demetriou or Brad Arthur,” suggested McDermott.

“For me it has to be one of the three and I think Paul Rowley would be my number one choice because he would fit straight away.

“He would suit Leeds down to the ground with the way they play. Leeds want success but the Headingley faithful demand to be entertained too.

“I saw that during my time as a player there – combining skill with toughness and walking on the field knowing we were going to win – and then in the Brian McDermott era.”

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Danny McGuire won eight Super League titles during his glittering playing career at Leeds and has been tipped as the next Rhinos head coach.

He was assistant coach at Hull Kingston Rovers before joining Castleford Tigers in the same role at the start of the current campaign.

Asked if he thought McGuire could fill the Leeds vacancy, McDermott said: “I think it’s too early for Danny.

“The size of the position demands that the next person be prepared to take over as head coach. I would love to see Danny come in as an assistant coach and someone like Danny Ward.

“Danny Mags and Danny Ward have blue and amber in their veins and both would certainly add something, although I think it’s too soon for either of them to take the reins completely.”

Chev Walker and Scott Grix served under Smith and have been placed in interim charge as the search for a new head coach begins.

“Chev is a good mate of mine and he seems to have done a good job so if he can fill in and fit in with the new head coach then I don’t see any problem keeping him involved,” added McDermott.

Meanwhile, Rhinos prop Mikolaj Oledzki faced scathing criticism from Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin after last week’s defeat at Hull FC.

McDermott is a long-time admirer of the Poland-born England international and has backed Oledzki to make a comeback. He said: “I exchanged a few messages with Mikolaj and told him that he needs to internalize this criticism.

“It’s about controlled aggression and Mikolaj is one of the few players in that group who hopefully can take Jon Wilkin’s comments and stick them on the wall in the dressing room like Salford did a few years ago and make sure such words are never spoken of them again.”

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