Sheffield Eagles appoint Ryan Sheridan as head coach
Ryan Sheridan has gone ‘full circle’ in returning to the club where he began his career
Sheffield Eagles have appointed former player Ryan Sheridan as their new head coach, with the experienced coach returning to the club ahead of the 2027 Championship season.
Sheridan, whose professional playing career began at Sheffield, brings extensive experience from both sides of the game, having held coaching positions at several established clubs, including Super League outfit Catalans Dragons.
The 2026 season marked the conclusion of his three-year spell with the French club, where he joined in 2024 as assistant coach under Steve McNamara. He subsequently worked under Joel Tomkins and briefly assumed interim head coach duties following Tomkins’ departure, before John Cartwright took charge.
Before moving to France, Sheridan held assistant coaching roles at Featherstone Rovers, Castleford Tigers, Warrington Wolves and London Broncos.
His return to Sheffield represents a homecoming more than three decades in the making. A former half-back, Sheridan progressed through the Eagles’ academy before making his first-team debut on 8 December 1991. Carrying Heritage Number 142, he came off the bench in a 35-2 victory over Workington Town.
Over the following five seasons, Sheridan became an established member of the Sheffield side. His most prolific campaign came in 1994-95, when he scored 16 tries in 30 appearances.
He was also part of a significant moment in the club’s history, partnering Dean Lawford at half-back in Sheffield’s inaugural Super League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in March 1996.
Sheridan departed at the end of that season, having made 97 appearances and scored 40 tries for the Eagles. His playing career continued with Leeds Rhinos, Widnes Vikings, Castleford Tigers and Dewsbury Rams, spanning 14 years before he transitioned into coaching.
Speaking about his appointment, Sheridan described the return as a full-circle moment and said the opportunity to lead his former club was a significant honour.
“I am really excited to be back at the Eagles where I started my playing career over 35 years ago, so this is a full circle moment for me,” he said.
“This club gave me an opportunity and a start all those years ago, it gave me what was to become an unbelievable journey in rugby league.
“This is a new journey for me now. After speaking with Jeremy Levine about his vision for the Eagles and his passion to see the club grow and become successful, it was something that I wanted to be a part of.
“To become the head coach of the Eagles is a huge honour for me. I can’t wait to get started and help the club move forward into an exciting future ahead.”
Sheridan will take up the role with immediate effect, with Sheffield due to return to pre-season training in November as preparations begin for the 2027 Championship campaign.
The appointment marks a new chapter for the Eagles as they look to build for the season ahead, with Sheridan returning to the club where his rugby league journey first began, this time tasked with leading the team from the sidelines.