Wests Tigers delay head of football appointment as boss praises Michael Cheika

The Tigers are vowing to spare no expense as they hunt for a new head of football, and their attention could be turning to a former Wallabies coach with some Tigers connections.

Michael Cheika. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

The Wests Tigers have delayed a decision on a new head of football until a review has been completed into the running of the club but chair Lee Hagipantelis has fuelled speculation over a potential move for Michael Cheika after praising the former Wallabies coach.

The Tigers board met on Monday night where they agreed to put the brakes on their pursuit of a new football chief while the independent review - commissioned by the owners of the club following a petition of supporters - was ongoing.

There had been talk that the board would rubber-stamp a move for Parramatta’s head of football Mark O’Neill but Hagipantelis confirmed a decision had been temporarily delayed.

He also spoke glowingly of Cheika, currently at the rugby union World Cup with Argentina but well regarded in Wests Tigers circles through his association with several of the club’s key figures, most notably assistant coach Robbie Farah and five-eighth Adam Doueihi.

“I am told that Cheika is of very good character and people speak very highly of him,” Hagipantelis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“As to the Wests Tigers head of football role, all the applicants and candidates are being considered on a strictly private and confidential basis.

Michael Cheika is on the Tigers’ radar. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

“Yet again, here we are talking about things being reported in the paper to my consternation. It’s just beyond me to explain this. There are a number of qualified applicants that have put themselves in the picture and we had a board meeting on (Monday) night.

“There were discussions but there is also a review going on as well so the board is just going to allow the review process to go through.

“We’ve been humbled by the quality of the candidates and those who have shown interest in the role.”

The Tigers have targeted some of the biggest names in the game as they look to strengthen their football department and provide support to new head coach Benji Marshall.

The club is believed to have sounded out two of the most respected heads of football in rugby league - Newcastle’s Peter Parr and Melbourne’s Frank Ponissi. This masthead understands both men elected to stay at their current clubs.

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty

O’Neill, a former Tigers player, was believed to have become the club’s preferred option but Cheika has emerged as a genuine candidate after he was contacted by figures within the embattled Tigers to gauge his interest in taking a role.

The Eels are aware of the Tigers’ interest in O’Neill and will leave the ball in his court as he contemplates whether to remain at Parramatta or work alongside former teammate Marshall.

Cheika would be a risky and potentially expensive appointment, although money is not necessarily an issue for the Tigers as they look to strengthen their football department.

He has made no secret of his interest in a role in rugby league, having previously been an assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters and coached Lebanon at the World Cup.

Originally published as Wests Tigers delay head of football appointment as boss praises Michael Cheika