Unlike an impressive 2024 campaign, during which then-boss Paul Rowley steered the Red Devils to a fourth-placed finish and a play-off spot, continuing off-field financial issues plagued them in 2025.
Having asked for an advance of their 2025 central distribution in late 2024, Salford were eventually taken over by a consortium led by Swiss businessman Dario Berta on the eve of the 2025 season.
Things have gradually got worse for the club, however, with chief executive Chris Irwin resigning less than three months into the job while Salford City Council also pulled out of negotiations with the Red Devils over the club’s attempt to buy their Salford Community Stadium home in May.
A sustainability cap imposed on the club by the Rugby Football League affected team selection, leading to the Red Devils frequently fielding youthful sides and being on the end of numerous humbling defeats, including St Helens’ 15-try record-breaking 82-0 win at the start of the season.
Having previously claimed the club would not close despite its financial troubles, the club’s owners came in for more criticism as chief operating officer Claire Bradbury quit her role after she alleged the ownership suggested she “sleep with someone at the Rugby Football League” to ease their situation.
Salford’s Super League game against Wakefield was later called off because of “significant” welfare concerns, with the club having just two senior players available – leading to fan protests which continued as the season went on.
Assistant coach Kurt Haggerty, who was meant to take over as head coach from Rowley for 2026, left the club and eventually took over at newly-promoted Bradford Bulls for next season while Rowley finally left the club earlier this month to take over at St Helens.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, in conjunction with his deputy Paul Dennett, held a meeting with the Rugby Football League earlier in October to make the case for a possible Salford Red Devils phoenix club being able to enter the second-tier Championship next season.
