Wakefield Wildcats: Chester appointed Wakefield head coach

The 37-year-old, who lives in Wakefield, has been named as the successor to Australian Brian Smith and will take charge immediately, preparing the team for Friday’s visit to Hull.

The Wildcats have also announced that vastly experienced coach John Kear will return to the club to work alongside Chester as head of rugby from 2017.

Kear, who guided Sheffield Eagles and Hull to Challenge Cup glory, is currently head coach of Championship club Batley.

Wakefield chairman Michael Carter said: “I am delighted to get Chris on board and look forward to him taking this club forward.

“There were some excellent candidates who applied and I thank them all for their interest.”

Chester, who guided Rovers to the 2015 Challenge Cup final in his first full season in charge at the KC Lightstream Stadium, was stood down following their 14-12 home defeat by Wakefield on February 21 and formally left the club a week later.

“I am delighted to become head coach of Wakefield Wildcats, especially as it is my home-town club and a club with a lot of traditions,” the former Halifax, Wigan, Hull and Hull KR forward said.

“I have been stood on these terraces as a young kid and I am really proud that I now get to coach this great team.”

Chester has since been replaced at Hull KR by James Webster, who was head coach of Wakefield this time last year.

Webster’s successor Smith quit the Wildcats eight days ago, only five games into the season and after just nine months in charge, and subsequently claimed costs at the club were “cut to the bone”.

Carter is hoping the appointment of Kear will help stabilise the club, although he will see out the remainder of the season with the Bulldogs before taking up the reins at Belle Vue.

“Having known John for many years, it is great that John wants to join us to lead this club from the front,” Carter said.

“He will give myself and others at the club the benefits of his vast knowledge of the game and I look forward to working side by side with John.”

Kear, 61, who is also currently head coach of Wales, famously saved Wakefield from relegation in 2006 and remained in charge at Belle Vue until 2011 when he moved to Batley.

“I am very excited and delighted to return to the Wildcats after my time at Batley,” Kear said.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years at the club and intend to enjoy the remainder of my time with Batley. I am looking forward to joining the Wildcats and I will look to bring stability and improvement across the whole football department.

“I am excited to be able to work alongside Michael Carter, Chris Chester and (director) Chris Brereton in order to progress this great club forward.”