St Helens: Nathan Brown says Australia return reason for exit

Nathan Brown says the pull of a return to Australia with his family was the main reason behind his St Helens exit.

Brown, 41, won the Grand Final in his final game in charge of Saints, beating Wigan 14-6 at Old Trafford.

The former St George Illawarra Dragons head coach spent four seasons at Huddersfield, before his two-year stint at Langtree Park.

"Home is home and after six years away, it's time to take the wife and the family back," said Brown.

He added to BBC Radio Merseyside: "Ideally it would have been great to work at St Helens for a few more years, because it's such a great club - it's been a great learning culture for me."

The Australian was allowed to leave a year early from his Saints contract and club legend Keiron Cunningham, who was on Brown's coaching staff, has been named as his replacement.

Brown had been keen on a return to the NRL, and lost out on the Wests Tigers' job to Jason Taylor.

St Helens won 19 of their games last term to finish top of the Super League table and end a six-year wait for silverware, and Brown thinks that success can continue.

"When you look at the squad - and the age of the squad - that is the key," he said.

"It's young and vibrant and moving forward - it's not an ageing roster - it's a roster that will keep getting better.

"Obviously with Keiron taking over, he knows the culture of St Helens better than anyone - he played a big part in building it.

"He's a winner so I can only see good times for the Saints, as long as you have your fair share of luck.

"If you ask for a fairytale ending, I think any coach would like to leave any club by winning the League Leaders' Shield and last game of the Grand Final at Old Trafford."