Michael Maguire isn’t going anywhere, but apparently there’s a raft of changes on the way for the Wests Tigers.
That is the final result of the annual review of the club’s football operations, with the club confirming this afternoon in a media statement that Maguire will remain in his position as head coach.
In addition, the club says several “structural and procedural changes’’ will take effect within the football department.
The club does not spell out what these changes will be.
However, it says in the statement: “These changes have the sole aim of ensuring the club continues to challenge itself in the way it operates in order to become a better performing organisation.’’
Which means whatever anyone wants to think it means.
“While we always understood this review and process would take time, it was the responsibility of the football committee to ensure all information was considered to make the right decisions for the club moving forward,’’ says Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe in the statement.
“Michael has been with the club over arguably its most challenging time with the Covid-19 pandemic,’’ Pascoe said.
“He has overseen significant change both on and off the field throughout his tenure and, on behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to thank him for his effort so far.
“We are firmly committed to building a high performing club.
“With our strong financial position, increased investment and recent success of our pathways teams, the new centre of excellence and continued work on a South West academy, the arrival of Tim Sheens and his experience in NRL systems, this club is poised to reap the rewards of several years of hard work.
“We believe that through Michael’s vast experience and by continuing to challenge the way we operate, we will continue to drive the high standards and behaviours needed to ensure we achieve our goals as a club.”
There was no statement from the coach, who now looks set to be in charge for the fourth year in a row, despite not being able to take the NRL team to the finals.
Wests Tigers finished 13th this season.
Wests Tigers players and coaching staff will return for pre-season training in November, but of bigger interest to fans will be when 2005 premiership winning coach Tim Sheens, pictured above, starts working at the joint venture – and what exactly his role will be.
It is reasonable to assume Sheens will be part of the structural and procedural changes, but we will have to wait and see.
