Salford leadership reshuffle

Ahead of the 2025 Super League season, Salford Red Devils have revealed that club will undertake a leadership restructure. 

The club will see the leadership group make changes off the field that will encourage the Red Devils to build on their current development.

The Red Devils have been growing over recent seasons on and off the field, and will look to go one step further after the city councils acquisition of the Salford Community Stadium.

Rowley and Haggerty roles change ahead of the 2026 season - via YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_meLFfCEtI
Rowley and Haggerty roles change ahead of the 2026 season – via YouTube

The new changes will follow the Paul Rowley’s change in position as the new Director of Rugby for the 2026. 

The change of head coach will see Kurt Haggerty take charge from the 2026, and will be one of the many transition the club will hope to go through.

Other changes to the club will see Managing Director, Paul King become the new Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

The move has been encouraged with Paul focusing on financial sustainability and longer term projects for the club.

Following the change in role, Paul King said: “We are at a juncture with the club now whereby our on-field consistency enables us to compete at the very highest level.”

The club have reached the playoff’s twice in the last three seasons and the reinvestment and growth of the club will be significant to their success.

As Paul continued: “If we are to kick and challenge for silverware, we need greater commercial returns and a wider audience to enable us to make the moves for marquee talent that we will need to achieve this.”

The restructure will also the appointment of Claire Butters as the new Chief Operating Officer.

Claire has had previous experience working with Sale Sharks as the Sales and Marketing Director.

The new role as COO will hope to enhance the commercial revenue streams of the club, as the Red Devils hope to continue to grow on and off the field.

The new appointment will offer the club more going forward, as Claire Butters said: “It’s a pivotal time for the Club and I believe we’re on the cusp of something special.

“There’s so much opportunity for growth and I know we can establish ourselves as a major force across Rugby League.”

The final off field change to the club will see Club Director, Paul Trainor transition into Director of Foundation and Rugby Partnerships.

The leadership role will be taken over with immediate effect, and met with a lot of excitement as Paul Trainor said: “The Foundation has always been the charitable arm of the club and the advent of the club’s rugby strategy.

“My initial focus will be developing the Rugby strategy, supporting the educational pathway and increasing the grassroots visibility across Salford and Greater Manchester.”

He continued: “I will be focusing on building and maintaining local, and international partnerships, which enhance the club’s profile.”

The appointments will be one of the first major steps from 2025, and will help the club grow and develop in the future as they aim to be competing for silverware in the coming years.

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