Monday 10 April 2017 18:40, UK
Brian Carney believes St Helens will have "anguished" over the decision to part company with coach Keiron Cunningham.
Cunningham spent 76 games as Saints' head coach, including two Super League semi-finals and one Challenge Cup semi.
A statement released by St Helens on Monday, read: "Keiron has been with the club for 24 years as man, boy, player and coach. The commitment that he has shown to the club throughout, and in every capacity, has been without equal.
"It is both upsetting and disappointing for us all that it has ended at this point in time.
"Keiron nevertheless understands the position and, as a mark of the man that he is, wishes only well and good to the club, its players and everyone associated with it."
Carney was quick to point out that the sentiments expressed by St Helens' chairman were sincerely meant.
"You often hear it trotted out at these times how difficult it has been for the club to part company with a coach and that it's a sad time," Carney said on Sky Sports News HQ.
"I will tell you know that Eamonn McManus will mean every single word of that, he's a genuine a man as you'll come across and he will have anguished over this decision.
"He's a very personable character, Eamonn, and it will have been very difficult for him to part company with a man who he has admired for years and years as a player and then worked very closely with as a coach.
"I'm just guessing that they're hoping that the side will react in a certain way on Friday at Wigan, and give them a much needed win. But, it is a surprise to me that he has gone at this point in the season."
Cunningham spent two years at the helm as Saints' head coach. As a player he joined as a teenager in 1993 and made 406 appearances for the club.
In his playing days, Cunningham won every honour possible and Carney believes that success impacted on his career as a coach.
"What's done it for Keiron in the end? I think past successes of which he was a huge part," added Carney.
"Here's the ironic thing; Keiron Cunningham's success and ability as a player made his life as a coach more difficult - almost impossible.
"Everybody that watches St Helens now demands that the side not just win, but win with panache and win with a certain degree of style because of the team of the 2000s that Keiron was a mainstay of.
"They haven't got a side anywhere close to that level at the moment but the fans still expect great and flowing performances. They may get back to that, but I'm not sure that they will."
Saints have won three and lost four matches as well as a 14-14 draw against Huddersfield, and Carney believes that losing their 14-0 lead against the Giants was the final straw for the chairman.
"Huddersfield clawing their way back in when St Helens were in a commanding position, ultimately that has put paid to his position at St Helens this week.
"What would have happened further down the line? We're not to know but, conceding that late try to Huddersfield and only coming away with a point ultimately cost Keiron Cunningham his job."
The club's ambition this season remains to win trophies - but that's the same for a number of clubs, according to Carney.
He said: "Winning silverware is the objective for St Helens, for Wigan, for Leeds, for Warrington, for Hull. They can't all win trophies somebody has got to come up short.
"With St Helens, in particular, if they were to come up short but be playing attractive rugby league I think that would be okay."
Saints next face Wigan at the DW Stadium, live on Sky Sports, before hosting Castleford Tigers on Monday.
