Monday 20 October 2014 20:46, UK
Super League champions St Helens have appointed Keiron Cunnningham as their new head coach.
Saints have acted quickly to appoint a successor to Nathan Brown, who stepped down after his club's 14-6 Grand Final triumph over Wigan earlier this month.
The former St George and Huddersfield boss was released 12 months early from his three-year contract in order to take his young family back to Australia.
Another Australian, Daniel Anderson, had been linked with the vacancy following his successful stint at St Helens. But Cunningham - who has signed a two-year contract - was always the strong favourite.
Keiron is ready for this professionally and totally committed to the task ahead of him.
His appointment will be popular with supporters, who in 2010 voted overwhelmingly to immortalise him with a bronze, life-size statue, which was erected in the town centre and moved to Langtree Park when St Helens moved into their new stadium three years ago.
Cunningham, who turns 38 next week, made 419 appearances for his home-town club from 1993 to 2010.
He becomes St Helens' first British head coach since Ellery Hanley who held the reins from 1998 to 2000, since when Australians Ian Millward, Anderson, Mick Potter and Simmons held the post.
Chairman Eamonn McManus told the club's official website: "Keiron is ready for this professionally and totally committed to the task ahead of him.
"He has been heavily involved in the success of this season and is ideally placed to carry it on for years to come.
"Keiron is highly respected by the players. Not only does he understand our culture, he has been instrumental in its development since the inception of Super League.
"Everyone at the club is totally behind his appointment and enthused by it.
“His appointment will result in both continuity and stability within the club. We have a strong, young and exciting playing squad and we are well placed to compete at the highest level for many years ahead.
"CEO Mike Rush, Keiron and myself have worked together at the club in one form or another for 14 years. We understand the town and the club and their highest expectations. We will together continue to do our very best to meet them."
