Salford confirm McRae is to leave

McRae’s last match in charge was the 32-6 victory over Wakefield

Salford City Reds have announced head coach Shaun McRae will leave the club at the end of the season and they have begun the search for a new coach.

The 51-year-old has been on leave due to medical advice since March and confirmed in a statement he would not be seeking reappointment next year.

“It is generally accepted that five years is the watershed for a head coach with a club,” McRae said.

“It is a time for a change of direction in my rugby league career.”

Director of football Steve Simms has been in charge at The Willows since McRae’s enforced absence and says despite the announcement he expects McRae to remain as a coach of the Red Devils.

“Shaun is head coach this season and will remain that until something else happens,” Simms told BBC Radio Manchester.

“I spoke to Shaun a couple of weeks ago and he said that he was hoping to come back at some stage.

“Until that Phil Vievers will be looking after first-team things until something changes but as far as we’re concerned Shaun is still head coach here.”