IN-COMING Giants coach Jon Sharp will be on the look-out for a new assistant after it was confirmed Steve Deakin will join top French club Union Treiziste Catalan as head coach next season.
Deakin has been the No2 to Tony Smith at Huddersfield this season.
But his contract was up at the end of the season and Deakin has decided to return to the country where he began his professional coaching career.
That was with Cannes in the early 1990s and the French-speaking Oldham-based coach is confident he can make a good impression at the club who are looking to be accepted into Super League in 2005.
"It's a challenge I'm very much looking forward to," said Deakin.
"It's a great opportunity - and for rugby league itself.
"One of the things I've got to do is to try and get some structure at the club, as well as trying to get some systems going with the players.
"I'm also going to be in a position to attract players to the club.
"The Perpignan area, where UTC are based, is a very exciting and attractive place to go, and that's got to be one of the strong points in asking people to go there."
Ironically, UTC had targeted Giants head coach Tony Smith as their first choice before his lightning move to Leeds Rhinos.
With Deakin ready to join Smith at the McAlpine exit door at the end of the season, attentions will now turn to fellow senior staff coach Brian McDermott.
Like Deakin, the former Bradford Bulls legend is also on a one-year contract but seems in no rush to make his next move.
There is also no news over the future of club captain and coach Steve McNamara, whose current contract is up at the end of the season.
Next story
