Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months

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Mike Grady leaves Salford RLFC mutual consent

Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.

It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.

Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.

He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.

As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”

They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”

Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.

“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement. 

“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”

Grady himself has maintained throughout his tenure that he was “enjoying” the job despite the early challenges of trying to lead a fresh franchise in a competitive division.

Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.

“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.

In the meantime, Assistant Coach Dave Hewitt – who came on board with Grady at the start of the 2026 season – will look after the team in the interim.

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Featured Images — Salford RLFC (screenshot via YouTube)/roughyedsfan (via Flickr)

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