30 July 2023 , 20:15
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Warrington have sacked coach Daryl Powell after their humbling defeat by basement club Wakefield.
Wire were thumped 42-6 by Trinity leaving them facing a battle to reach the Super League playoffs, despite winning their first eight games of the campaign.
Powell lamented his side's effort after the defeat, and it is a result which has seen him leave the Wolves before the end of his second season in charge.
Warrington chairman Stuart Middleton said: "We’d like to thank Daryl for his commitment and endeavours since joining the club last season but we feel the team now needs a different approach.
“Results and performances over the past 18 months have fallen short of the standard we expect and feel the club now needs to move in a new direction.
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“We will now begin a thorough process to select a new Head Coach to take the club forward. We still firmly believe this playing group have the ability to compete at the highest level.”
Warrington are clinging on to their top-six spot by the skin of their teeth, now sitting just two points clear of Salford in seventh.
It comes after the club stuck by Powell after a truly horrendous 2022 which saw them finish 11th, preserving their top-flight status by a single place.
Powell was backed in the transfer market over the winter, and all seemed to be working out as planned when Wire romped to eight successive victories to start the season.
But after their latest defeat, Powell gave his players both barrels for their attitude, in what has turned out to be a parting shot.
Wakefield celebrate during their big win - which boosts their own survival hopes (PA)He fumed: “It’s inexcusable. If we want to win a competition, we have to win these games.
“It’s always difficult here. But that doesn’t matter does it? It doesn't mean you can’t do it. But we come and get smacked on the nose and think ‘that’s it, we’re in trouble.’
"And it’s bull***t as a rugby league team that you get smacked on the nose and can’t hold yourself together and just crack on and do your jobs. It’s the basis of the game. It’s a tough sport.
“As soon as we had to defend we were appalling. Every time Wakefield had an opportunity we looked vulnerable. I won’t make any excuses. It was shocking.
"The players had a week off and that performance was nowhere near. When talking about effort, some people need to look long and hard. Some things need to change within the team. There was a team desperate to win the game and it wasn’t us."
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