St Helens sack head coach Wellens

St Helens have sacked head coach Paul Wellens after the conclusion of their 2025 season.

The 45-year-old was a club legend during his playing career and made 495 appearances for Saints before joining the coaching staff in 2015.

After moving into the head coach role for 2023, Wellens immediately guided Saints to a stunning win over Penrith Panthers in Australia to claim the World Club Challenge, but did not manage to continue the domestic dominance established under Justin Holbrook and Kristian Woolf before him.

He leaves the club having steered Saints to the Super League play-off semi-finals, during which they pulled off an incredible last-minute win against Leeds Rhinos at the eliminator stage before being well beaten by Hull KR on Saturday.

Chairman Eamonn McManus said Wellens had been a "supreme ambassador" for the club and parting company with him was "the most difficult decision".

Wellens told the club website:, external "Whilst I'm naturally disappointed my time at the club will be coming to an end, I also respect that decision and would like to thank Eamonn for his honesty in what I know would have been an extremely difficult conversation.

"We have developed a close working relationship for the best part of 25 years, and despite the difficult nature of such discussions, our friendship remains very much intact."