Castleford appoint McGuire as head coach

Castleford Tigers have appointed Danny McGuire as their new head coach on a three-year deal.

The 41-year-old steps up from assistant to replace Craig Lingard, who was sacked earlier this week.

McGuire has also held an assistant position at Hull KR but this is his first head coach appointment.

The former half-back was Super League's all-time leading try-scorer until former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Ryan Hall passed his record of 247 tries in 2024.

"I have been hugely impressed with Danny's ambition, his determination, and his technical knowledge of the game and I look forward to working alongside him," owner Martin Jepson told the club website.

"I am also sure Danny will be able to help attract like-minded players to the club as we continue to build for next season."

McGuire enjoyed a glittering playing career, winning eight Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups with the Rhinos.

He ended his career with Hull KR and moved into coaching with the Craven Park side.

After a spell as their head of recruitment he moved on to Tony Smith's coaching staff for the 2021 season.

He ended the 2022 campaign in interim charge after Smith quit and led the Robins to five wins from 10 matches before returning to his role as assistant under Willie Peters.

The former England and Great Britain international then moved to Castleford for the 2024 campaign as Lingard's assistant.

Analysis - McGuire has 'done the hard yards as an assistant'

BBC Sport rugby league reporter Matt Newsum

The decision to appoint Danny McGuire is, to some extent, a gamble given his relative inexperience as an out-and-out head coach but there is every reason to suggest he is the perfect fit for such a post.

First of all, his rugby league brain made him one of the sharpest halves around, so he understands the sport inside out.

He has played under some esteemed coaches such as Tony Smith, Brian Noble, Brian McDermott and Tim Sheens, and coached alongside Smith during his time at Hull KR, where he did get a taste as interim boss in succeeding his old mentor.

McGuire has done hard yards as an assistant and has an appreciation and understanding of the set-up at the Tigers already having worked on Craig Lingard's staff.

I don't think there is a person in rugby league who doesn't warm to the personality of McGuire, a thoughtful, reflective and decent human being - he is someone you would want to play for.

He seems likely to be joined by old Rhinos team-mate Brett Delaney who has recently left Hull KR's staff and who is also highly thought of.