DESPITE still being on his post-season break, Steve Price is hard at work.

The 40-year-old was named as The Wire’s new head coach on Friday, signing a two-year deal to replace Tony Smith at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Price arrives in the country later this month ahead of pre-season training, with non-international players returning on November 6.

As he explains in an exclusive first interview with the Guardian, he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.

“I’m keen to get over there and meet everyone in person. I’ve already spoken to the staff and a few of the players,” he said.

“I’ll be involved in everything, whether that is the first team right down to the guys in the academy.

“Being hands-on is important for me. I want us to build on the solid foundations we have and I’ll be overseeing everything from the playing side.

“One thing I can guarantee is that we will be a hard-working group from coming back in November up to Christmas, then we will reassess.

“We will be disciplined and there will be tough rules, but the end result is that we will be a resilient footy team with a good sense of purpose.”

One of Price’s top priorities is recruitment and he confirmed he has been in discussions with players in Australia about joining The Wire.

The new Wolves boss says his top priority is signing someone to provide a creative spark for his side.

However, he believes there is someone already at the club whom he expects to “step up” and play a big role in his side.

“It’s no secret that we need a half-back. I know that has been heavily speculated,” he said.

“We are looking in that area, but I have high expectations of Dec Patton. I believe he can step up.

“Obviously, there’s one or two more slots to fill and we’re looking to get that done in plenty of time.”

Price has moved quickly to appoint London Broncos head coach Andrew Henderson as his assistant.

Henderson replaces Richard Agar, who has left Wolves to take up a position in the NRL.

On paper, at least, the challenge of rebuilding the Wolves squad and taking it back to the higher reaches of Super League is a daunting one.

Price, though, knew it was one for him and believes he can bring silverware to The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

“I expressed my interest straight away. I knew this was the gig I had been waiting for,” he said.

“This is a strong club with excellent facilities and a great structure. It has all the potential in the world.

“I spoke with people I trusted, as I do with every big decision, but it’s important to go with your gut and it was telling me this was too good to pass up.

“Every coach dreams of silverware and I am no different.

“When I was assistant to Shane Flanagan at Cronulla, we went from the Wooden Spoon to winning the Premiership in a year.

“There’s some parallels there, and with what Leeds have achieved this year, but I don’t want to read too much into that.

“This club wants to be winning silverware. That’s the goal and I believe I can help achieve that.”

The Wolves job is Price’s second head coaching role in first-grade rugby league after a two-year spell with St George Illawarra Dragons between 2012 and 2014.

He has been assistant coach at two NRL Premiership-winning clubs, under Wayne Bennett at the Dragons in 2010 and Shane Flanagan at Cronulla in 2016.

He is now charged with following in the footsteps of Tony Smith, one of the most successful coaches in the club’s history.

“I think it’s really exciting and, as a group, we need to embrace it,” Price said.

“Tony Smith has been a fantastic servant to rugby league in England. I hold him in the highest regard.

“I know I need to embrace the change, but I’m clear about the direction in which I want to take the club.

“Over the years, I’ve watched Super League with great interest. It is a strong competition and the standards are very high.

“A good friend of mine, Nathan Brown, coached over here for many years and was successful.

“I actually got to spend some time with him at St Helens, just seeing how things were done over here and soaking it up.

“I’ve watched a number of Warrington games and the way the fans get things going is fantastic.

“Experiencing that atmosphere in person is something I’m really excited about.

“When they come to the stadium, I want them to have a resilient and successful team to get behind.”