KEIRON Cunningham's phone has not stopped ringing with messages of congratualtions on taking the head coach's job at Saints.

And among them is Shaun Wane, boss of bitter rivals Wigan, who wished Cunningham good luck in his new role.

Speaking at the press conference at Langtree Park this morning Cuinningham said:  "I didn't know I had that many friends.

"Shaun Wane was on the phone before the press conference. Shaun is a really good friend of mine.

"(Castleford coach) Daryl Powell has also been on. He's another good English coach and it's good to have a good crop of English coaches coming through."

The 37-year-old former Saints hooker, who retired as a player in 2010, has agreed a two-year deal to replace Nathan Brown.

After finishing his 17-year playing career, one-club man Cunningham joined the St Helens backroom staffas a strength and conditioning coach, before being projected into the front line when he assisted Mike Rush for three-quarters of the 2012 season after the axing of Royce Simmons.

He added to that experience by assisting Brown for the past two years - and worked in tandem with the former Saints boss in pushing the team forward.

The new boss also poured cold water on those who suggested that he needed to "learn the ropes at a Championship club" first.

He always had this job in mind - and stressed he would not be taking it if he was not ready

Cunningham said: "I had agreed an extra two-year contract as an assistant but the idea was for Nathan to get me up to speed and, if I was ready, then I'd get the job.

"I've always seen myself as a leader. From being young, it's something I've always done.

"I never knew the timing but I swore to my wife that I was never going to rush into it. I've seen too many great players who have probably gone into a head coach's role a little bit too soon. They thought they knew everything but fell flat on their face.

"I'm quite a humble person and, if I wasn't ready, I wouldn't have taken the job."