by Brian Noble will make a surprise return to management for the first time in over a decade after being named head coach of the Bradford Bulls for the 2025 season.
Noble won the Super League three times, three World Club Challenges and the Challenge Cup while managing the Bulls from 2001 to 2006, following a long playing career with the club.
The former Great Britain coach also spent three seasons as head coach at Wigan Warriors between 2006 and 2009, followed by a spell at Crusaders RL, but has been without a coaching role since leaving Salford Red Devils in 2014.
Since then, Noble has served in several non-coaching roles and returned to the Bulls as a consultant in 2023. The 63-year-old is now ready to lead Bradford into the new Betfred Championship season.
“I’m really excited,” Noble told the Bradford Bulls website. “I’ve been part of what’s going on behind the scenes for 18 months and you have to say we’re on an upward trajectory.”
“A lot has been done, but there is still a lot to do and we have to be careful because there is also a lot to lose, that is the reality.”
“The only reason I initially came back to help was to try and get Bradford Bulls back into the Super League. This is my only mission. That is my only dream, not just for the people of Bradford but for the club itself.” “
Brian Noble will serve a second term as head coach of the Bradford Bulls
Bradford finished third in each of the previous two Championship seasons and received an improved score of 12.15 in the IMG assessment process, keeping them at grade B but pushing for a return to the Super League for the first time since 2014.
Noble replaces Eamon O’Carroll, who is leaving the club to take up a full-time coaching role with an unnamed Super League team, and will be joined by first-team coach Lee Greenwood, who has signed a contract extension, to stay with Odsal until 2025.
“As soon as we knew him [Noble] “He was available and ready and wanted to take on the role. He was undoubtedly our first choice,” said Bradford Bulls CEO Jason Hirst. “His passion, experience, knowledge and track record are there for all to see.”
“I can’t wait to see him in his more hands-on coaching role. Likewise, we were interested in retaining Lee’s services and promoting him to first-team coach, his influence at the club has grown significantly over the last 18 months.”
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 percent more live sport at no additional cost this year. Find out more here
