Steve McNamara leaves role as England head coach

ByPA Sport

Updated 02/02/2016 at 11:14 GMT

Steve McNamara has left his role as England head coach, the Rugby Football League has confirmed.

England's Sean O'Loughlin and Steve McNamara after beating New Zealand

Image credit: Reuters

The 44-year-old former Bradford boss, who was appointed in 2010, was out of contract at the end of November's Test series against New Zealand and has been told he will not be offered a new deal.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: "The RFL has concluded that with the 2016 Four Nations and 2017 World Cup on the horizon, now is the time to make any change to the England set-up."

The move is set to pave the way for the appointment of veteran Australian Wayne Bennett as the new England head coach.

Rugby League