Shaun Murphy reveals ‘uncomfortable conversation’ as he splits from coach after two years

SHAUN MURPHY has revealed he had to have an “uncomfortable conversation” with coach Peter Ebdon before splitting with him. The Magician, 44, started working with the former world champion in late 2024 and they had a successful start together as he claimed the 2025 Masters at Ally Pally. Shaun Murphy has split with coach Peter Ebdon Credit: Getty Murphy and Ebdon worked together for just under two years Credit: PA Last season, he was beaten in a final frame shoot-out by China’s Wu Yize in the final of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. And Murphy decided to end his partnership with Ebdon just four months later. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! He told Metro: “It’s difficult. You start very much in a business capacity, but it can’t help but migrate into something else. You become friends. “I suppose there was an uncomfortable conversation where I had to tell him that his services are no longer required. “But that’s the industry we’re in. You can’t afford to take it personally in sport, in business. That’s the nature of the beast.” “I don’t have a coach. I haven’t replaced Peter with anybody. I may do, but I haven’t done. “I may look into other things. I think in sport, you’re always looking for that little bit extra.” When asked why the pair went their separate ways, Murphy claimed their relationship “reached as far as we could go”. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK It comes just four months after Murphy was beaten by Wu Yize in the World Snooker Championship final Credit: PA He added: “I think things just come to a natural end of their life. It was a good two years. “We had a good couple of seasons together. I’ve obviously known Peter for a long, long time. I just felt like things had reached as far as we could go. “I respect Peter a lot. I’ve got a lot of time for Peter, and respect for what he achieved on the table. “I’m very grateful for the time we spent together, working together. “During the summer, it just felt as if it was the right time to look into a different world. Nothing lasts forever.” Murphy began the defence of his British Open title in Cheltenham on Monday with a 4-0 thrashing of Reanne Evans, the 12-time women’s world snooker champion. Mark Williams, the three-time world champion, scored just 31 points as he was humbled 4-0 by David Gilbert in round one, the day after he returned home from the Wuhan Open. Comment now