Chris Chester, the former director of rugby for the Salford Tigers and current interim manager, made his first public appearance since the club fired Danny McGuire in anticipation of Sunday’s Super League matchup with the Salford Red Devils.
On Monday, I was summoned to a board meeting. The club has recently added a number of new board members, and some ambitious off-field ideas have been proposed.
In the board room, it was decided that they believed our club had regressed.
We are in a worse situation than we were a year ago in terms of the points and the outcomes. After 17 games, I believe we were sitting on 11 points last year; this year, we’re sitting on eight.
In 2026, the board determined they needed a new strategy and someone else to guide us into a new age.
For all of us, it was a really challenging day. As you can guess, Danny was rather sad when I had to break the news to him immediately following the board meeting.
After informing McGuire of his termination…
I had to go see Danny in person; it wasn’t a phone call.
I have experienced that situation where it was conducted over the phone and again when it was conducted in person. I just felt like talking to Danny about it in person was the correct thing to do.
I can understand why that didn’t go well and how Danny was clearly upset with the choice.
Our board has changed, and some of the new members have expressed a desire for change.
It’s always a tough position, and I have to do all in my power to help the board.
Regarding his involvement in the choice…
There were absolutely no disputes. From the moment Danny walked in the door, I was there for him.
The decision was taken by the board of directors, and I am not on the board. As the Director of Rugby, I respect their desire to choose a different course.
There was unquestionably no blowback or anything of the kind. To be honest, it’s been a really awful week, and I’m simply worried because there’s a young coach there who lost his job.
We, the staff and players, have failed the coach. It’s not a pleasant sensation.
Even if you disagree with the decision, you must accept that it has been made. There is nothing wrong with the connections with anyone, but it will likely take Danny a few weeks to move on.
According to Martin, we have a very youthful, enthusiastic board that has submitted some proposals.
Regarding the squad’s response…
It’s difficult to tell.
On Tuesday, we had a conversation. I just sat everyone down and made it very evident that we, the individuals present, are the reason this has all occurred.
We haven’t performed well enough. Could I, the players, and the staff have performed better? Most likely all of the people in the room could have.
Ultimately, the industry is driven by outcomes, and this year hasn’t produced any. The club believed they wanted to take a different course.
Regarding Martin Jepson’s reversal of his earlier this year public support for McGuire’s timely success…
It’s most likely a discussion for Martin.
I believe that the board has been dissatisfied with the inconsistent performances all year long.
People who have invested a significant amount of money in the team expect to see performances.
After the performance in Huddersfield, I thought we had reached a new low. For whatever reason, the performance simply wasn’t us. We believed that we had made progress against Wigan.
We have new board members that wanted to see change both on and off the pitch, so that’s definitely one for Martin. A number of factors are moving the wheels.
Regarding not wanting to serve as a head coach once again…
The only reason I’m here is to assist the three coaches. I’m here to accomplish all of those things, including presenting myself to the media.
Being a head coach again is not something I want to do. Although I have eight years of experience as a head coach and enjoyed the experience, my main concentration is as a rugby director.
I continue to play same job now by making hiring choices. I’m just here to support and help out the three excellent coaches that the club now has: Rob Nickolay, Scott Murrell, and Brett Delaney.
I’m merely a sounding board for those men, just as I was before. I believe I can provide some suggestions, but those folks have been running the sessions, and I’ve been keeping a careful eye on everything that happens.
Everyone was a little taken aback, including myself, but once the board made its choice, I made it plain that I didn’t want to be a head coach.
I no longer love doing that, and I truly appreciate my new function of recruiting and setting up certain building blocks.
All three of the coaches—Rob Nickolay, Scott Murrell, and Brett Delaney—remain with the team. We desire continuity of some sort.
Those men have stated that they still want to stay with the team going ahead, regardless of who the (new head) coach is in the coming weeks, whether it be in two or three weeks or at the conclusion of the season.
In addition to the players we’ve signed, I believe they’re thrilled about what’s occurring or will happen off the pitch.
In the upcoming ten-game stretch, those individuals will be crucial.
Regarding his role with the coaching…
I enter and explain the training to the workers. We discuss our tasks and watch a movie together.
However, I want those men to perform well on the training pitch and spread the word about our dignity and what we must do this weekend to get success.
Although I have some coaching expertise, I basically only serve as an extra voice and set of eyes.
I’m as present as I was when Danny was here in terms of what happens on the pitch. However, the focus is on ensuring that these coaches accept some accountability and make some wise choices.
Naturally, I also participate in the team selection process, but my only purpose is to contribute some experience. I’ll speak up if I have to
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