From an outsider's perspective, my guess is that both would have performed similarly well/badly over the last four years.

It is of immense credit to those in the "Mac can't coach" camp that many have the sheer chutzpah to believe they are right, even when their target is favourite for the international job. I'd say those who in contrast suggested he was one of our brightest young coaching prospects and predicted big things for him, may at the present time have the hard evidence to make the naysayers sound faintly dotty.

A quick summary from how it is being reported in the weekly rags - McNamara wil be appointed the Eng coach this week, the board have fought hard for him to see out his Bulls contract but to no avail. Therefore the Dewsbury game was his last in charge, the bulls will get some compo but then what? Not quite halfway through the season and no coach.

The weeklies are sometimes a bit erratic on accurate reporting but would this be a worst case scenario for the Bulls? I think so.

If Macca does get the gig you can have Matterson. Please.

If that is the scenario, then I'll just remind the Sacca da Macca Brigade what I have said a few times now - be careful what you wish for.

And if that IS the scenario, then Leeds and their clients at the RFL would likely be laughing their heads off.

Macca WAS reported as having "reassured" the Board he could do both jobs till the end of the season.

No, really.

Well, after reading the League papers at lunch it seems as though he's off (and straight away) at the looks of it.

Not good on a few counts as we don't have anyone set to take over, just as we've looked as though we have turned a corner in the right direction.

It will be very interesting to see who does take over short term - surely it's too much for Lee St.Hilaire to take on on his own. Menzies and Orford may have to step up and do some coaching!

Any replacement should not be rushed!!!!! I think the board were probably looking at extending Macca's contract, be it with negotiations based on recent performances, so we need to just take a step back and get the right person in who is available and keen to come.

All the work that has been done by the board and staff in regards a sound(ish) financial footing, stronger youth set up etc, should not be jeopordised to get in a "name" who could reck all the previous hard work within 2 seasons.

If he's leaving mid-season then surely we'll be entitled to alot of compensation??

It will be Lee St Hilaire with Medley assistant coach when Macca is unveiled as England coach.

I've been saying this for a while and people have just laughed at me. No one believed Macca would be the next Engalnd coach. I was right about that.

His contract runs out in November so I'm not sure. I take it the club will have to veto any suggestion of his appointment being on a part time basis up to the end of the season so I don't know what bargaining position that would leave them in.

If we wouldn't get anything then play it out tough. He's contracted, don't let him leave.


Of course, it could all just be a big rumour and he's signing a new 4 year contract

Absolutely. The board have a duty to do their best by the club so IF he leaves then it should be at the end of his contract, though the RFL can't just ignore the position it would leave the club in surely, however much it would please their friends at Shedingley? Isn't encouraging an employee to break a contract actionable?

Hood said the board always acts with the clubs best interests at heart. If it's the truth he'll only leave if :

a) we have a suitable replacement
b) we get compensation
c) he reaches the end of his contract first.

[size=150IF[/size all we hear is basically accurate, then am I the only one who thinks (and regardless of your views on McNamara's abilities) it is actually despicable and unacceptable in equal measure for [size=150the RFL[/size to strip a club of its coach mid-season, with no notice?

Regardless of whether he is being cohersed, they would surely have to agree a very big wedge of compo since it looks a lot clearer case of seduction of a contracted employee than was even Iestyn - whether they had permission to talk to him or not hasn't been mentioned and of course he could have applied but then if that's the case. he can pay us a barrowload of compo too.

This would enable us to in turn pay shedloads of money to whichever NRL club we poach the replacement from.

Kept my powder dry on this one till someone else popped up over the parapet...



Er...re [iMainstream Developments[/i - inducement to breach also has to be done with the intention of harming the other party financially, if it is to be actionable? Surely you are not suggesting that the RFL is so under the influence of Leeds that this is what their game is...?

Good heavens. No! Perish the thought! cant imagine that there is any ulterior motive from the RFL other than approaching Macca to be GB coach after his exceptional and proven skills shown over the last few years in tactical coaching a SL team.
It is inconceivable that the RFL would wish to enduce his employment with them at a time where his current employer was deliberately put into a position that seroiusly disadvantaged them both in operation and financial terms.

Based on his record for the last 4 years surely it would be in all other teams' interests to keep him at Bradford?

I was not, as use of 'cohersed' may give away, being entirely serious!

What I actually expect to happen if he goes is that we will inevitably be told that an undisclosed sum of 'substantial compensation' has been agreed, and everyone shook hands and was happy.

It'll probably be about a tenner.

A coq and hen not to be sniffed at.

As opposed to coq and Bull . . .




I'll get me coat.

PS great avatar

Let him go now if he wants, Put Menzies and Medley in temporary charge until we find someone for the job.

As I have said before if this turns out to be true then it shows McNamaras' true colours. The board have stuck by him through thin and thinner during his reign and now he might walk out and turn his back on them?

If true that would kinda sum him up. Just a shame he did not quit when no-one else wanted him.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

I'm not a fan by any means, but the fella needs some job secand you can't blame him for looking at his options.

I don't blame him. I just cannot believe he has options.

The sooner he goes the better and if he leaves us in the lurch I wonder what his apologists will have to say?