Brian Noble: Salford City Reds' new coach wants 'legacy'

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Noble excited by Salford challenge

Brian Noble wants to leave a "legacy" at Salford City Reds after being unveiled as the new head coach of Super League's bottom club.

Reds owner Dr Marwan Koukash has promised significant investment in the team next season.

Noble said: "We can spend as much we like on players, but if we don't have the right structures and facilities in place, we're not doing the right thing.

"Marwan and certainly I would like to leave some sort of legacy here."

He told BBC North West Sport: "I'm a big believer in dreams and the dream that Marwan painted to me when I met him for the first time coincided with mine.

"The scale of this place is immeasurable. That should drive you and the players. Everyone involved can latch onto that.

"In the short term and medium term, you've got to do the hard work to get there, but I have no doubts what this club is capable of.

"If you know where you're going and you have the support of the whole club - particularly the owner - generally down the track, good things happen."

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Koukash wants salary cap concession

Despite their current lowly position - Salford are bottom with only two wins to their credit this season - Koukash is desperate for quick success and has repeatedly stated his vision of making the Reds one of the giants of the domestic game.

In pursuit of that, he has revealed he intends to spend the full salary cap of £1.8m in 2014 and is seeking discussions with the Rugby Football League to increase that amount further.

Koukash also wants to add as many as 10 new faces to the squad ahead of next season, but former Bradford, Wigan, Crusaders and Great Britain coach Noble has warned that there is no place for "mercenary" players at the Salford City Stadium.

He added: "First and foremost, the criteria has to be that you want to be at Salford. You have to want to play here. It's no good pulling in a load of mercenaries. It just doesn't work. If you can pass that golden rule, then you've a chance."

A number of top names, including Australia coach Tim Sheens and former Sydney Roosters chief Brian Smith, were linked with the job after Salford dismissed Phil Veivers at the start of March.

But Koukash said Noble stood out as the leading candidate after meeting him for the first time, describing the 52-year-old as an "intelligent leader".

The multi-millionaire racehorse owner added: "Brian truly believes in my vision. He knows the potential of Salford City Reds and the surrounding area.

"I remember just after I took over the club [in January] and I read Brian's comments about the potential for each club. He really spoke highly about the potential of Salford.

"We're in one of the biggest sporting capitals in the world and there's no reason why we can't create a huge rugby league club."

Noble also confirmed that he expects to officially start his new role after Sunday's Challenge Cup fourth-round tie at Championship One outfit Gloucestershire All Golds.

Head of youth development Alan Hunte and assistant coach Sean Long, who have been in temporary control since the departure of Veivers, are set to take charge of that fixture and Noble plans for them both to remain as part of his backroom staff.

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