Looks like my source was correct. Hope the next part is too, but I'll save that for now.

Coach or player related ?

Both.

Gary Hetherington said of today's announcement: "after an extensive world wide search of the back streets of Salford, we are pleased to announce Ian Blease as the new Sporting Director of Leeds Rhinos".

Only kidding, great appointment, let's see what his first step will be.

He seems to be the guy who people wanted for a change.
Fingers crossed it works out better than previous appointments on the coaching / staff sude

There's every reason to believe he'll be a great appointment. Proven, and recent record, in the face of all odds. Knows the ins and outs of SL and has tremendous track record in terms of landing recruits (Hastings/ Croft) from the NRL. Has pre-existing relationships with a couple of senior players at the club, and would definitely give us the inside track on landing one of the best coaches in SL if required. Can't fault it.

Hopefully he'll do a good job. The only worry for me is whether he can translate making a financially struggling team competitive to making a team without the same money issues into winners.

At the very least it snaps the cycle of old boys or mates being given positions for which they are hopelessly unqualified, which I really think has been holding us back for years now.

Looks really good appointment.
Only worry is will he be left alone to do things his way and not Garry’s ?
But hopefully he will and things will improve and recruits will be big and better.

Hopefully GH does step back and we sign the players we need rather than projects for 12 months or less

Good news and some very interesting times ahead. Well done Leeds. This is a good step in the right direction.

Really pleased with this appointment. Well done to GH for getting him.