Mick Potter today sealed a deal that will see him return to Odsal next season as the Bulls’ head coach.

The current St Helens boss has agreed a two-year contract to succeed Steve McNamara, who stepped down earlier this week.

Initially, Potter had intended to head back to Australia when his current deal with Saints expired at the end of the campaign, but the lure of Bradford proved too tempting.

It is a move that brings the 46-year-old’s coaching career full circle, having cut his teeth as an assistant to Matty Elliott between 1996 and 1998.

Despite being groomed as Elliott’s successor, Potter returned Down Under following his three-year spell, paving the way for legendary boss Brian Noble to assume the baton instead.

But he will belatedly step into the Bulls hot-seat for 2011, and chairman Peter Hood believes patience has paid off after a three-month coaching search.

“Mick was initially intent on returning home to Australia at the end of the current season,” said Hood.

“I’m delighted we were able to persuade him to change his mind and instead commit the next two years to Bradford Bulls.

“We are excited at the prospect of welcoming back one of our own, an exceptionally talented head coach with a proven track record of success.”

Lee St Hilaire remains in control of first-team matters until Potter’s arrival, having stepped into the breach as caretaker boss following McNamara’s premature exit.

But the T&A understands St Hilaire will stay at Bradford even after completing the handover, with Potter keen to keep hold of the backroom staff appointed by his predecessor.

Head of physical performance Geoff Evans is also set to sign an extension to the one-year deal he agreed at the beginning of the season.

Potter arrives at the Bulls with an impressive recent track record.

Appointed as coach of Catalans Dragons five games into their first Super League campaign, the two-time Dally M medal-winner gradually built a successful side in the south of France, leading them to the Challenge Cup final in 2007.

The following year he led the Dragons to a third-place finish before moving on to Merseyside, Saints finishing as losing Grand Finalists in 2009.

This season Potter has guided the Knowsley Road side to a Challenge Cup semi-final against Leeds and third place in the current standings.