Agar Appointed Wakefield Head Coach

9 September 2011, 12:31 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

It's been confirmed Hull FC head coach Richard Agar will take over at Wakefield next season.

39-year-old Agar succeeds John Kear, his former boss at Hull who is leaving the club by mutual consent after tonight's final home game against Bradford.

Agar, a former player with Featherstone, Widnes, Rochdale and Dewsbury, has signed a three-year contract with the Wildcats.

Wakefield chairman Andrew Glover said:

'I'm very happy with this great appointment.

'I know our fans have thought it was a foregone conclusion that Richard was going to be our coach but that really isn't the case.

'We have interviewed many people and Richard has shone through as the best for the job.'

Former St Helens boss Ian Millward is thought to have turned down the job in favour of succeeding Terry Matterson at neighbouring Castleford and the vacancy came at an opportune time for Agar, who was told earlier this month that he was no longer required at Hull.

Agar began his coaching career at York and joined Hull in 2005 as assistant to Kear before taking over from Australian Peter Sharp three years later.

He guided the Black and Whites to a Challenge Cup final appearance in 2008 and last Saturday's win at Castleford ensured Hull were in the play-offs for a second successive year.

They play their final league match against Warrington at the KC Stadium tonight.

Agar was shortlisted for the role of England head coach following the resignation of Tony Smith in 2009 but lost out to former Bradford boss Steve McNamara. He said:

'I am really looking forward to the challenge of building a team and helping to build a club and see it progress,

'Wakefield is a club with a very rich history and a very proud heritage and I'm extremely honoured to have been offered this position.'