My view is that GH realised that Powell needed to find his feet at a lower level in the expectation that he would return to Leeds as Head coach when he'd learnt the job. I also think that Powell went along with this, hence his time at the Tykes then at Featherstone - don't forget we picked Hardaker up from them during Powell's time there.
Unfortunately for GH, Cas beat GH to it & offered Powell the job there & when he'd quickly shown his worth gave him an improved long term deal.
I believe that Powell & GH continue to be on good terms & would not discount Powell becoming our head coach in the future.

You've officially lost me now.

Well maybe you were just having a bad day then when you went on your rant at me last Friday. I posted that Powell is the best coach in Super League, then you went on some campaign about previous coaches at Leeds and Powell in 2003.

I didn't mention the words "used to be" or "has been", I said he is (i.e. the present) the best coach in Super League.

There are arguably a few other coaches in SL who would have done well to follow the Powell route when their playing careers ended, rather than just being a handed a high profile head coach job.

A spell in the lower leagues working out how to get best use out of limited resources might have taught Shaun Wane a different approach to the "shout at everything" manner he seems to be developing, for example.

"If only we had gone for him a few years back, we would have still had the GF wins, shown a proper future, and wouldn't have been taken backwards 17 years."

This is what you said that I took issue with.