Steve McNamara to remain with Dragons until 2026

Catalans Dragons' head coach Steve McNamara has extended his contract with the club, and will remain at the Stade Gilbert Brutus until the end of the 2026 campaign.

McNamara, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season, has signed a new two-year deal with the Dragons, as they search for their first Super League title.

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Arriv? au club en 2017, l'entraineur anglais a sign? un nouveau contrat de deux ans avec les Dragons.

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— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) February 21, 2024

The former England coach arrived at the club mid-season in 2017. He led the Dragons to their first ever trophy, winning the Challenge Cup in 2018, which came the year after he sabed the club from the relegation following their win in the Million Pound Game.

He deservedly took the Coach of the Year in 2021 for the first time in his career, having guided the club to a new trophy, winning the League Leaders' Shield, and then featuring in their maiden Grand Final.

Having helped the club to qualify for the Betfred Super League Play-Offs four times in a row in the last four seasons, Steve McNamara then led Catalans Dragons to a second Grand Final at Old Trafford last October.

On his new coaching deal, McNamara was delighted with the news:

"After a brief conversation with Bernard, it was a simple decision for me to stay at the Dragons. His ambition and commitment to continually improve our organisation is in line with my own ideas. 

"The players and staff are also fully invested and I look forward to working alongside everyone to give ourselves every opportunity to be successful."

Bernard Guasch, Catalans Dragons Chairman also commented:

"What Steve McNamara has achieved since his arrival at the club in 2017 is remarkable. He brought his knowledge, professionalism, and above all, the serenity that the club needed after some difficult years. 

"He has been able to recruit and integrate young French players who represent the values of the club. The Dragons are now among the great clubs of the Super League, and we want to continue structuring the club to reach a next step. 

"Our ambitions and objectives remain as high as ever each season, and I am convinced that we have the right people in place to lift another trophy."