Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Sporting Life - Ellery Hanley and Paul Cullen are among the names being linked with the coaching vacancy at Championship club Widnes Vikings.

Former St Helens forward John Stankevitch has been placed in temporary charge of the Vikings, who sacked Steve McCormack just one game into the new season.

But Stankevitch admitted he would be happy to work alongside a new head coach and ambitious chairman Steve O'Connor is likely to go for a big-name replacement.

Cullen, who has been biding his time since being sacked by Widnes' local rivals Warrington last May, is among the favourites and Hanley could also be tempted by arguably the biggest club job outside Super League.

Hanley, who took St Helens to Super League glory in 1999, guided Doncaster to promotion from National League Two last year before resigning and could be available after exiting from Dancing on Ice.

O'Connor, the haulage millionaire who rescued the Cheshire club from administration in autumn 2007, says he has already received more than six applications.

"For the moment we are in no rush to appoint a new head coach and I am completely comfortable with John Stankevitch and believe the spell in charge will aid his development as a coach," said O'Connor.

"We have not advertised the job as yet but have already had six or eight applicants, including some of the names being mentioned in the media from both home and abroad."

McCormack's three years at the helm saw Widnes reach two Grand Finals but they fell at the last hurdle on both occasions.