TIGERS CHAIR DEFENDS CEO FRIENDSHIP

WESTS Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis has hit out at suggestions his friendship with Justin Pascoe impairs his judgment when it comes to the club’s chief executive, insisting he would recommend his termination if he was convinced that it would turn around the team’s fortunes on the field.

The Tigers have begun a review into their football operations after another season of disappointment ended with a shellacking from last-placed Canterbury on Sunday.

That result has heaped pressure on coach Michael Maguire, whose position now appears almost untenable.

Pascoe has also come under fire from unhappy Tigers supporters, who believe the chief executive should be held to account for the way the side has performed during his tenure.

Pascoe has been at the helm of the Tigers for six years this month. In that time, the club has not made the finals.

However, the Tigers’ balance sheet has improved significantly and Pascoe played a role in securing funding for a Centre of Excellence, which is set to be completed this year.

“The administration of the organisation is always under review,” Hagipantelis said. “If I believed Pascoe’s termination would assist on-field performance, I would recommend his termination to the board.”