Former Salford City Reds assistant coach Sean Long has joined Wigan Warriors, four days after walking out on the West-Manchester outfit.
The former Great Britain international spent 18 months with the Reds – most recently sharing first team coaching duties with Alan Hunte before the appointment of Brian Noble
Despite making his name with arch-rivals St Helens – winning three Lance Todd trophies and forming part of the treble-winning 2006 side – Long is delighted to be re-joining his hometown club.
“This is a really exciting time for me in my career,” he told his club’s website.
“I am looking forward to joining the coaching staff and demonstrating my commitment to the Wigan standards and discipline.
“This is a real opportunity for me to develop my own skills in a new coaching role and learn off the club’s very experienced backroom staff.
“I feel I have a lot to offer the club from my time as a player and assistant coach and can’t wait to get learning.”
The 36-year-old announced his resignation from the Salford City Stadium last Friday, becoming the first casualty of the Noble era – a coach Long has famously come to blows with before.
The former Great Britain halfback infamously flew back from Australia midway through the 2006 Tri-Nations tournament after breaking an alcohol ban – sparking a fallout between the pair.
Although the duo are said to have since made up, Long made it clear in his autobiography – published in 2010 – that he is not a fan of Noble’s coaching methods.
No role has officially been announced but Long – who made 12 appearances for the Warriors in the 1990s – is expected to join a team working below head coach Shaun Wane.
And Wigan’s rugby manager, and ex-player, Kris Radlinski believes his former teammate will be a valuable addition at the DW Stadium.
“Sean is without doubt a quality young coach of potential who knows the game of rugby league inside and out,” he said.
“The fact that he is a ‘hands-on coach’ who can step in and show how it should be done, really appeals to us.
“He is a great character who I am confident will flourish alongside our current coaching staff.
“This appointment really highlights what our club philosophy is all about over the coming years.
“It is important that we have strong succession plans in place for both players and the development of our staff.”
Image courtesy of Gerrard Barreu, with thanks.
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