Warrington Wolves Confirm Sam Burgess to Remain Head Coach for 2026 Season
Warrington Wolves chairman Stuart Middleton has confirmed that Sam Burgess will continue as the club’s head coach for the next season, despite a challenging 2025 campaign. The former dual-code England international, aged 36, took over the Wire ahead of the 2024 season and led them to a respectable third-place finish. However, this season has proven more difficult, with the team struggling to maintain consistency and suffering defeats against lower-ranked sides such as Huddersfield and Salford.
Middleton spoke openly about the club’s current situation, emphasizing the need for accountability and improvement. “He is ambitious, driven and determined to put things right,” Middleton said in a statement. “This season has not met the standards we expect. Over the past few days, I’ve sat down with players, coaches and staff across the club. The message was clear and united: this is not good enough, and things must change.”
Middleton also acknowledged the dedication of the club’s supporters. “Our supporters work hard all week and spend their hard-earned money to follow this club. We understand the sacrifices you make, and it is our responsibility to repay that faith with committed, honest performances.”
Burgess, who is in his first full-time head coaching role, previously held coaching positions with Orara Valley and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Australia. He extended his initial two-year contract with Warrington through to the end of the 2026 season last July, demonstrating the club’s continued faith in his long-term vision despite the team’s current struggles.
This season, Warrington have faced setbacks, including a Challenge Cup final defeat against Hull KR in June. Currently, they sit six points behind sixth-placed Wakefield with only three games remaining. While mathematically still in contention, their points difference means that realistically the Wolves’ hopes of reaching the play-offs are over.
Looking ahead, Warrington will host Leigh Leopards on Saturday, seeking just their second victory in seven matches. Burgess and his coaching staff are focusing on instilling resilience and improving performances in the final fixtures, aiming to finish the season on a more positive note and laying a foundation for a stronger 2026 campaign.
With Middleton’s endorsement and Burgess’s continued leadership, the club is emphasizing stability and long-term planning, aiming to restore Warrington Wolves to their competitive best in the Super League. Fans will be watching closely as the Wire attempt to close the season with pride, while preparing for a new challenge next year under the guidance of their head coach.
