Bradford reappoint former boss Noble for 2025

Bradford Bulls have reappointed former head coach Brian Noble before the 2025 Championship season.

The 63-year-old returns to the club for a second time having overseen a stunning level of success in his first spell between 2001 and 2006.

Noble, who replaces Eamon O’Carroll and had previously returned to the Bulls as a consultant in 2023, led the club to five Super League Grand Finals, winning on three occasions, as well as lifting the Challenge Cup and three World Club Challenges.

“I am really excited, I’ve been a part of what’s been going on behind the scenes for 18 months and you have to say we’re on an upward trajectory,” he said.

“There’s lots that has been done but there’s lots still to do and we need to be careful because there’s lots to lose as well, that’s the reality of it all.

“The only reason I came back to help out initially was on the back of trying to get the Bradford Bulls back to the Super League. That’s my only mission. That’s my only dream, not only for the people of Bradford, but for the club itself.”

Noble left the Bulls for Wigan in early 2006 having also jointly coached Great Britain, however he was unable to replicate his successes at Odsal.

Further coaching positions at Crusaders and Salford followed but Noble has not held a full-time head coach position since leaving the Red Devils in 2014.

Having worked for BBC Sport as a pundit for its coverage of rugby league in recent years, he returns to coaching alongside Lee Greenwood, who will act as first-team coach.

“His passion, experience, knowledge and track record are there for all to see and I can’t wait to see him in his more hands-on coaching role,” Bulls CEO Jason Hirst said.

“Equally, we were just as keen to retain Lee’s services and promote him to first-team coach, his influence at the club has grown significantly in these last 18 months. He’s extremely popular with the playing group and works very well in tandem with Brian.”

Noble comeback not unlike Oasis

BBC Sport rugby league reporter Matt Newsum

Maybe he was inspired by Oasis’ grand comeback in 2024, but Brian Noble’s ongoing love affair with Bradford continues as he takes the reins at Odsal in a move which has surprised many – a return to some phenomenal glories.

The departure of Eamon O’Carroll left a void which Noble will fill at least for 2025, but I get a sense that the club has a plan to continue to develop Lee Greenwood as a coach before he might well step up in the future.

Noble brings a wealth of experience, retains his enthusiasm and having worked with him on many occasions knows the game forensically.

Most of all he loves the club and has done it all as a boss during the Bullmania days, and his involvement in recruitment in his consultancy role before this appointment will be invaluable in terms of knowing what he will inherit.