Brian Noble is set to make a shock return to management for the first time in more than a decade after being appointed manager of Bradford Bulls for the 2025 season.
Noble won three Super League titles, three World Club Challenges and the Challenge Cup during his time at the helm of the Bulls between 2001 and 2006, having previously enjoyed a lengthy playing career at the club.
The former England manager also spent three seasons as manager at Wigan Warriors between 2006 and 2009 before working for Crusaders RL, but has not coached since leaving Salford Red Devils in 2014.
Noble has since taken on a number of non-coaching roles and returned to the Bulls as a consultant in 2023, with the 63-year-old now ready to lead Bradford to a new Betfred Championship season.
“I’m really excited,” Noble told the Bradford Bulls website. “I’ve been part of what’s been going on behind the scenes for 18 months and I have to say we’re on an upward trajectory.
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“The reality is that we have achieved a lot, but we still have a lot to do and a lot to lose, so we have to be careful.
“The only reason I came back to help in the first place was because of the effort to get Bradford Bulls back into Super League. That is my only mission. It is my only dream, not just for the people of Bradford but for the club itself.”
Brian Noble is set to enter his second term as manager of the Bradford Bulls.
Bradford have finished third in each of the previous two Championship seasons and have received an improved score of 12.15 points in the IMG grading process, keeping them in B grade but pushing them to return to Super League for the first time since 2014.
Noble replaces Eamon O’Carroll, who is leaving to take up a full-time coaching role at an unnamed Super League side, and will be supported by first-team coach Lee Greenwood, who has signed a contract extension to remain at Odsal until 2025.
“Once we knew he (Noble) was willing and wanted to take on that role, he was without a doubt the best choice,” said Bradford Bulls CEO Jason Hirst. “His passion, experience, knowledge and track record are there for all to see.
“We would like to see him take on a more substantive coaching role. Likewise, we wanted to retain Lee’s services and promote him to first-team coach. His influence at the club has grown significantly over the past 18 years.” months.”
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