Andy Last is in the Hull FC hot seat once again. Here, the interim coach reflects on his first spell in charge, making tweaks, Steve McNamara, and an exciting future.
Hull FC interim coach Andy Last after a play-off victory over Warrington Wolves in 2020. (Image: SW PIX)
The world was a completely different place last time Andy Last held the interim Hull FC head coach position. Boris Johnson was prime minister and he was set, a few days or so after Last got the call, to put the country into a national lockdown that lasted for over three months.
For Last, who had taken over from Lee Radford following his sacking in March 2020, that meant numerous video calls with his fellow staff and players, following training plans via fitness apps, and not getting his teeth into the gig he wanted all of his life until the summer months.
Then again, Last may have called for another lockdown after his first game in charge against Salford Red Devils – a 54-18 defeat on neutral territory – but instead he rallied his troops, galvanised the group, knuckled down, and took them to one game within a Super League Grand Final.
Hull haven’t been anywhere near that feat since, and now Last’s challenge is to go again – and he’s ready to give it everything he’s got once more.
“No pressure, then,” Last smirked to Hull Live when reminded he was the last man to guide Hull to the play-offs. “I came in and then a week after I was appointed, we went into lockdown for three months. My first three months as head coach were via Zoom calls and chats and making sure they were doing their runs. It was a strange old time.
“It’s been a lot different this time being with the players. That’s where I’m at my best, in front of the boys, whether that’s doing video previews or reviews and then getting on the training field and trying to instil some intent and technical and tactical bits, just some little tweaks we need to change.
“I won’t make wholesale changes but I will have my own way of doing things. The biggest thing, for me, is I’m not going to try and be anybody else other than myself. That’s always stood me in good stead.
“I get on with the players exceptionally well. They know how passionate I am about Hull FC and how passionate I am about my job. I’ll be driving those boys to play to their absolute best and I think if we can do that, we’re certainly a match for any other team in this competition.”
Last’s appointment comes after the ‘stepping down’ of former head coach John Cartwright. The club parted ways with the Australian last week, who has been placed on gardening leave, with Steve McNamara coming in for the 2027 season on a four-year deal.
“It’s a strange one, really,” Last admitted. “Of course, it comes with a bit of disappointment, as a fellow colleague has lost his position. John is a guy I’ve got the utmost respect for, but when the club made the decision to appoint me as interim head coach until the end of the season, I couldn’t wait to take the challenge.
“I’ve done it before and I thought I did a reasonable job when I did it before. I’m excited and I’m looking forward to the games that we’ve got left.
“Obviously, I’m really disappointed for John, as he’s a good fella, but I understand the reasons why the club has made the decision and that’s been spoken about at length now. I’m excited about the future of the club, but there’s always that disappointment with a fellow colleague losing his position.
“He’s a good, experienced coach, and we will miss him, but I’ll stay in contact, and we will exchange calls and messages. He’s one of those guys that if I ever needed to call on him, I’d be able to.”
And on McNamara’s appointment, Last continued: “It’s exciting. I know where the finish line is as interim head coach. It’s also exciting what’s coming on the horizon with the appointment of Steve.
“It’s also exciting for the here and now, as I know what quality and character we’ve got within these four walls. I know, if we can get some momentum and some confidence, the connection we’ve got is a real, real strength. I’ve fallen into this position, but it’s a good position to fall into, as the ingredients are there to have a real strong finish to the season.”
But before McNamara arrives, Last will get his own shot at leading this side for the rest of the year – and there’s no shortage of confidence in what he can achieve.
“I’d like to think we can improve on last season, get more wins, and have more strong performances,” Last said. “The play-offs are not out of reach. I don’t think anyone has hit brilliant form yet. Teams are taking points off each other and we need to make sure we are taking our points to keep us within a chance.
“The players are fully focused on attacking the remaining games with some vigour, and some of the things that John has instilled in us with regard to that grit, determination, and never-say-die attitude will be evident again.
“I just think the big thing for us is getting our best players back on the field. If we can do that, we’ve got a squad that is capable of challenging anyone in the competition. We just need to get some momentum now, some confidence, and try to attack the season in the right way and get some wins.”
And as for taking the Hull FC job permanently one day, Last joked: “We’ll see how these 19 games go but it is something I’d love to do.
“That’s why it has been quite emotional for me. The opportunity to coach your hometown club doesn’t come for everybody. When this opportunity came back in 2020, it was brilliant, but it also twinged with disappointment because a close personal friend in Lee Radford lost his job. This time, again, another close friend loses his position and you step in.
“But I’m just excited. I’m really passionate about Hull FC. I’ve been a Hull FC supporter since the age of six. There’s nothing more than what I want other than to get this team winning games and challenging for trophies again.
“I’ve been part of some teams that have been successful and won trophies back in 2005 and then in 2016 and 2017. There’s nothing I would want more than to experience those types of days and weekends again. Hopefully, we can do something special and see what the future holds.”