Tigers leaning towards axe on Maguire
MICHAEL Maguire’s time as Wests Tigers coach is on the brink of coming to an end, as the Tigers close in on making a call on the under-siege mentor.
News Corp has learnt that Maguire is expected to have coached his last game, unless there is a lastminute shift by the club’s bosses.
Penrith assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo is the frontrunner for the job, but it is unlikely he will pursue the opportunity. Instead, Englishmen Steve Mcnamara and Shaun Wane plus Australian-st Helen coach Kristian Woolf are among the leading candidates, should the Tigers pull the trigger on Maguire.
The Tigers board met for the first time last week since a review into the Tigers’ 2021 season was completed.
They asked for further recommendations from the football committee. Those recommendations are to be put to the board.
It will now be left to the board to make a final decision.
While Maguire had strong support initially, there had been a mood shift in recent days which could result in his axing, despite the two years left on his deal.
There is little doubt the Tigers want to speak with Ciraldo, but he has indicated he won’t pursue any opportunities until his commitments with the Panthers end within the next fortnight.