The sky is the limit for Salford City Reds according to new head coach Brian Noble as he set out his plans at Tuesday’s unveiling.
The former Great Britain boss has not coached since 2010 but was presented to the media by owner Dr Marwan Koukash with the promise of significant investment for new players.
Noble wants the profile of rugby league raised in Manchester and admitted he wants to create a legacy at the Salford City Stadium.
“I think that nothing’s impossible,” he said. “Everything’s possible. If the players buy in and commit and trust each other it’s amazing what you can achieve.
“The scale of this place is immeasurable, it’s a fabulous opportunity and that should drive everyone that’s involved in the club.
“In the short-term and medium-term you’ve got to do the hard work to try and get there but I have no doubts that what this particular club is capable of.”
After a successful playing career as a hooker – captaining England – Noble moved into coaching in 2001, taking the helm at hometown-club Bradford Bulls.
‘Nobby’ spent five years at Odsal, steering the Bulls to three Super League Grand Final victories, three World Club Championships and a Challenge Cup title, alongside international duties.
Salford sit bottom of Super League but could bring in as many as 10 new faces, although Noble stressed he would only chose people right for the club.
“The criteria have to be you want to be at Salford,” he added. “You have to want to play here.
“It’s no good pulling in a load of mercenaries, it just doesn’t work.
“The bottom line is you’ve got to want to be here and if you can pass that golden rule then you’ve got a chance.
“I’m conscious that we can spend as much money as we can on players but if we don’t have the right structures and facilities in place we’re not doing the right thing.”
Dr Koukash outlined his hopes of persuading the RFL to expand the Super League salary cap – currently standing at £1.8million per team – to bring the English game in line with the NRL.
And the Kuwaiti-born racehorse-owning businessman admitted the decision of appointing Noble had been a relatively easy one.
“Brian truly believes in my vision and not just says it,” he said.
“He knows the potential of this cub for the surrounding area and more importantly he’s a very emotionally intelligent leader that will lead the club to the next level.
“What interested me is that Brian really spoke highly of Salford’s potential in this area.
“We are one of the biggest sporting capitals of the world and there’s no reason why we can’t create a huge rugby league club here.”
Noble also confirmed that both Alan Hunte and Sean Long – who have shared coaching duties since Phil Veivers’ dismissal – will remain at the club, though the specific role is as yet unknown.
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