Cullen prepares to move on
Last updated 11:50, Thursday, 29 May 2008
PAUL Cullen admits his future now lies away from Warrington after his long association with his hometown club ended earlier this week.
Cullen, after six years as head coach, parted company with the Wolves following Monday’s shock defeat to engage Super League bottom side Castleford.
Aside from a two-year spell with Whitehaven from 2000-02, the 45-year-old had served the club since 1980 as a player or member of the coaching staff.
There have been calls for another role to be found for Cullen at the Halliwell Jones Stadium but he insists it is time to make a clean break.
Cullen told Sky Sports’ ’Boots ’n’ All’ programme: “I have done my bit for Warrington. I have given it everything I’ve got.
“For me to make any further comments isn’t the right thing, whether that’s about players, supporters or reactions – I’m done. It is time for me to move on.”
After a winter of expensive recruitment, Cullen faced increasing pressure from supporters this season after failing to iron out the inconsistencies of recent years.
The Super League campaign began well enough with six wins from eight but only one more in the following seven intensified calls for his head.
Monday’s defeat proved the final straw as fans staged a sit-on protest after watching their side throw away a 28-14 lead to lose 36-28 in the final 10 minutes.
Cullen admits it was a bitter pill to swallow but perhaps sees the injury-hit Wolves’ dramatic 40-34 Challenge Cup loss to St Helens on May 10 as the beginning of the end.
He added: “The club really haven’t recovered from losing at St Helens in the Challenge Cup.
“We threw everything we had into that game, under very difficult circumstances. To lose those players early in that game was a bitter blow.
“We have taken arguably one of the best sides in the world of rugby league right to the wire.
“I honestly don’t think this team has recovered from that yet – it will at some point.”
