The chairman also expressed gratitude for the outgoing head coach's efforts. "I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our head coach.
He will always be warmly welcomed at the club," said McManus.
Sky Sports pundit Sam Tomkins expressed surprise at the timing of the announcement right before a major rivalry fixture.
"I'm shocked. I certainly thought Paul Rowley had a little bit more time.
Saints have been up and down this year, but the timing of it - the day before the original derby, Wigan vs Saints, it blew my mind that today was the right day to sack the head coach," said Tomkins.
Tomkins noted that the decision likely stemmed from a mutual agreement based on recent team performances and table standings.
"I don't think any coach of a top side after 20 weeks into a season, his first season, would decide that's his time to go.
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It will have been a conversation between club and coach, and they've decided that's the best way to go," he said.
He further suggested that the departure was driven by the team's inconsistent playing style rather than just match outcomes.
"It would amaze me if Paul Rowley took it on himself to say that I want to leave.
But we're a results-based business, and I don't think it's that Saints have lost too many games this year, I think it's probably the manner in which they've lost at times," said Tomkins.
