Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings
of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves
as well as the England national team
. He also provides commentary for Sky Sports
rugby league coverage.
in 1980, where he stayed for 17 years. He played mainly in the centre position at the club.
. He worked in both the under-21s and as assistant coach.
In 2000 he moved to Cumbrian side Whitehaven
He accepted his first Super League
head coaching role at Warrington in August 2002, replacing David Plange.
Cullen successfully steered the Wolves away from relegation, and towards play-off football.
In 2006 he was appointed the Head Coach of England 'A' ahead of the Federation Shield tournament in the autumn.
On 26 May 2008, following a run of poor form that culminated in a 36-28 to struggling Castleford Tigers
, Cullen resigned from his position as Head Coach amid heavy pressure from fans and pundits. He was the longest-serving coach in the league at the time of his departure, having spent six years in charge of the Wolves and guided them to a Challenge Cup semi-final and a play-off victory.
His replacement at Warrington Wolves was James Lowes. Later replaced by Tony Smith.
Widnes Vikings unveiled Paul Cullen as Head Coach on a two-year deal on 9 March 2009. Speaking from the heart Cullen said on his appointment "I'm really excited to be joining Widnes. The plan is simple, we need to get Widnes into Super League where we belong".
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
as well as the England national team
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
. He also provides commentary for Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
rugby league coverage.
Playing career
Cullen joined Warrington WolvesWarrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
in 1980, where he stayed for 17 years. He played mainly in the centre position at the club.
Coaching career
After ending his playing career in 1996, Cullen moved into coaching. He had spells on the coaching staff at WarringtonWarrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. He worked in both the under-21s and as assistant coach.
In 2000 he moved to Cumbrian side Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
He accepted his first Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
head coaching role at Warrington in August 2002, replacing David Plange.
Cullen successfully steered the Wolves away from relegation, and towards play-off football.
In 2006 he was appointed the Head Coach of England 'A' ahead of the Federation Shield tournament in the autumn.
On 26 May 2008, following a run of poor form that culminated in a 36-28 to struggling Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
, Cullen resigned from his position as Head Coach amid heavy pressure from fans and pundits. He was the longest-serving coach in the league at the time of his departure, having spent six years in charge of the Wolves and guided them to a Challenge Cup semi-final and a play-off victory.
His replacement at Warrington Wolves was James Lowes. Later replaced by Tony Smith.
Widnes Vikings unveiled Paul Cullen as Head Coach on a two-year deal on 9 March 2009. Speaking from the heart Cullen said on his appointment "I'm really excited to be joining Widnes. The plan is simple, we need to get Widnes into Super League where we belong".