By Sam McClure
Greater Western Sydney chairman Tony Shepherd has confirmed four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson will be among the people the Giants talk to as the club begins its search for Leon Cameron’s replacement.
Shepherd said the process to find the club’s next coach would begin “pretty quickly”, following Sunday’s loss to top four aspirants Carlton, which was Cameron’s final match in charge following his resignation last week.
Possible candidates Alastair Clarkson, Adam Kingsley, James Hird and Nathan Buckley.Credit: The Age
“People like Alastair would be on the list,” Shepherd told The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Shepherd said that he, along with club chief executive Dave Matthews and head of football Jason McCartney would first decide what kind of coach the team requires before an interview process begins.
“One that can win grand finals, preferably,” Shepherd said.
“No, but we are actually looking seriously at what sort of coach we need and what would work best for our squad and culture. We are going through that assessment now.
“There’s a range of excellent coaches and senior assistants that would be interesting. Their values, their culture, as well as their football and coaching skills.”
Clarkson made it clear in a recent interview with Fox Footy that he would return to coaching for one reason - to chase another premiership, essentially ruling out a club that wasn’t close to contending.
“I’d want to get back involved because I want to win it. And if I didn’t feel like I was the bloke to take that club or that group of players to win it then I’ll stay out of the game,” said Clarkson, whose recent stint behind the scenes at NBA franchise Golden State Warriors whetted his appetite for another tilt.
The Giants have been extremely consistent under Cameron, having won a final in every season bar one since 2016.
Assistants Adam Kingsley, Adem Yze and Daniel Giansiracusa are seen as the best untried coaches in the competition.
Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has all but ruled out a return to coaching after coming close to replacing David Teague at Carlton at the end of last season.
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has said he’d be reluctant to move interstate while his teenage sons are still at school.
Clarkson has long been linked with a big-money move to another expansion club Gold Coast.
The Suns, who until recently had been struggling under the guidance of Stewart Dew, have won their past two games against top five sides Sydney and Fremantle and now sit only a win and percentage outside the top eight.
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