Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott has described Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash as an 'embarrassment' to rugby league.

The Rhinos went to the top of the Super League table last night thanks to a 70-6 thrashing of the struggling Red Devils at Headingley Carnegie.

Koukash has frequently criticised his players in public for their disappointing results this season, but McDermott believes that the businessman should take more responsibility for the team's problems.

"It embarrasses me to be involved in rugby league when there is an owner of a club conducting himself how he is - saying what he wants, when he wants and how he wants. He needs to realise that that is not how to lead a club," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"That group of players are not that bad and what we saw out there was a completely demoralised, shot group of players who lack confidence. It's not because they have had bad coaching or have bad conditions but they are demoralised by what goes on off of the field.

"I wouldn't want to be led by a person who is erratic and says the things he does about his own group of players - [the scoreline] is absolutely his fault. There are some good people in that team who don't give up that easy so there are questions to be answered and lessons on leadership to be learned by the owner."

Leeds return to action on July 26 when they host Catalans Dragons in Super League.