KRISTIAN Woolf is calling time on his three-year stay at Saints and will return home at the end of the season to take up a new challenge in Australia in 2023.
Saints will announce his successor at the end of the season and Woolf has his own thoughts on who woud do a good job.
Woolf, who joined ahead of the 2020 campaign, has steered the club to back-to-back Super League titles in 2020 and 2021.
Last year he delivered the club’s first Challenge Cup for 13 years and earlier this week Saints secured the League Leaders Shield for the first time since 2019.
But there is plenty of business still to do with Saints gunning for an unprecedented fourth Super League title in a row.
Woolf said: “This has not been an easy decision for myself or my family, but it’s time for us to return home.
“We made a decision a little while ago due to personal factors that have played their part in our decision.
“The timing has also combined with an opportunity that has arisen in Australia.
“I have been here for three years and I have loved every minute of it. I love the Club and what it has provided for both me and my family.
“The fans have been great with me, the passion they show and the way they support the Club is terrific.
Woolf backs Paul Wellens to be St Helens next coach>
“They have also made my family feel at home and have welcomed us into the community and on behalf of my family I want to thank them for Turn to page 71 that.
“I also want to pay thanks to the St Helens board, staff and my players. It has been a privilege to work with this exceptional group of men who are all extremely driven and worked so hard to achieve the success they have.
“The hardest thing is having to leave an exceptional group who buy into what you want them to do and are great players and people. What I love about them is how they compete and have a relentless attitude every week.
“That is extremely hard to say goodbye to.
“This is the same for the staff, who are great people to work with and are all on the same page, working closely together to move in the same direction.
“They have all helped me become a better coach and whilst I am returning back home, my complete focus is ensuring I play my small part in helping this group achieve success this season.”
Woolf will head home at the conclusion of Tonga’s World Cup commitments in November.
Eamonn McManus said: “Kristian has been phenomenal for St Helens for the last three years in every way and at every level.
“He has not just been at the helm during an immensely successful time for the team, but has also imbued a deep sense of honesty, trust, commitment and hard work throughout the club. We have all benefited from his presence and personality and thank him for it.
“We understand and fully respect his decision to leave at the end of the season and wish him and his family every happiness and success in their lives back home in Australia. He is an exceptional person and coach.
“We are well advanced in the selection process for a replacement Head Coach for next season and are very confident in the continuing improvement and success of our Club in the years ahead.”
The Tonga national team will be based in St Helens for the duration of the tournament.
The club is already underway with planning its coaching staff appointments for 2023 and say they will be making no further comment on Woolf’s replacement until the conclusion of the current season.
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