Hanley left St Helens at the beginning of the 2000 season

The rugby league great will work with Gary Mercer, who has been confirmed as head coach after doing the job on caretaker basis.

Tigers chief executive Richard Wright said: "We have now appointed Gary as head coach to the end of the season.

"It is his stature within the game that has attracted Ellery - a legend in the game - to the club."

Castleford sit bottom of the Super League table after failing to secure a win in 10 games this season.

Previous coach Graham Steadman was sacked after the Tigers' seventh straight loss.

Hanley, who returns to the game after coaching roles in rugby union with Bristol, Bath and England, said he was aware of the size of the task ahead of him.

"It is a great challenge and we need to start kicking on from today," he said.

Pressure does not faze me, I know how to deal with pressure - it does not exist Ellery Hanley

"I have seen Castleford on a number of occasions and it is no secret they have got some deficiencies and they need to be looked at and rectified quickly."

Hanley's appointment came as a surprise but the former Great Britain coach said he was not concerned at the length of time he had been out of the game.

He has not been involved in the sport since he parted company with St Helens in 2000 after a falling-out with the club's directors.

"There is no drama. There is no fuss," he said.

"Once you are a professional sportsman it is not difficult to rekindle the desire and the hunger.

"I have always played under pressure, whether as a player or a coach. Pressure does not faze me, I know how to deal with pressure - it does not exist."

Mercer has been in charge at The Jungle since the departure of Steadman in April and has been with the Tigers as assistant coach for two-and-a-half seasons.

Both appointments take immediate effect and run until the end of the season.