Harris exits Red Devils

Salford Red Devils have announced the departure of head coach Iestyn Harris.

The Shaw-born boss has been absent from the Super League club for the last two months on sick leave, but now confirmed as a parting of the ways by agreement.

Salford chief executive Martin Vickers said: “We are pleased to have been able to come to an amicable arrangement with Iestyn Harris so both parties can now move forward. We wish all the best in his future career within the game and thank him for his efforts.”

Harris (39) becomes the third coaching casualty at Salford since Marwan Koukash took over the club.

Iestyn left his job as assistant coach at Wigan to come to Salford in April 2014, and stepped down as head coach of Wales to concentrate on club duties. He was contracted to Salford to the end of 2016.

The Red Devils failed to reach the top-eight play-offs last season and finished next to bottom of Super League at the time of the split for the Super 8s.

Under Harris, Salford won only 14 of 41 matches and Koukash’s dissatisfaction came to a head after a 34-28 defeat at Hull KR on the last day of June.

Two days later it was revealed Harris had handed in a sick note, and his assistant - former Oldham RL half-back Ian Watson - was appointed interim head coach. Watson is still in charge.