NRL 2023: Wests Tigers hit back at rumours future coach Benji Marshall wants out of club

The Wests Tigers have angrily responded to innuendo surrounding club legend Benji Marshall, who is due to become the club’s head coach in 2025.

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has hit out at suggestions Benji Marshall is ready to walk away from the club over creative differences with new recruitment boss Scott Fulton.

Marshall is due to take charge of the Tigers from 2025, although there has been speculation his ascent to the top job could be brought forward given the club’s struggles this season under Tim Sheens.

Of more immediate concern have been the whispers that Marshall is having second thoughts over his coaching future given the recent appointment of Fulton, which was made without any input from Marshall or Sheens.

Rugby league has been awash with talk over the past week that Marshall was weighing up his future amid suggestions he and Fulton were on different pages over attempts to keep Luke Brooks and a potential move for Josh Schuster.

This masthead spoke to sources close to Marshall over the weekend who confirmed there were issues that needed to be addressed, but they had not got to the point where he was ready to turn his back on coaching.

Hagipantelis spoke to Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe on Sunday afternoon and was assured that Marshall is going nowhere.

The Tigers say Benji Marshall is going nowhere. Picture: Getty

“Beyond confident,” Hagipantelis said.

“I just got off the phone with Justin – we have heard all this today – and he spoke to Benji. It is just ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. There is no suggestion whatsoever that Benj or Scott are going anywhere.

“They are on a list management committee. Their roles complement each other, don’t conflict. Scott’s role is to go out and recruit what Benji wants and what he sees that the club needs for the future moving forward.

“There is no conflict there. They will have healthy and robust discussions as to players from time to time as you would expect.

“There is nothing unusual (about that). In fact, it is to be encouraged. All of those discussions of course must be retained in-house.”

The Tigers took their time before tabling a two-year deal to Brooks which encompassed a significant pay cut on his existing salary.

Benji Marshall is set to take over as Tigers head coach in 2025. Picture: Getty

This masthead revealed a fortnight ago that Brooks rejected the deal, personally calling Marshall to inform him that he was heading to the open market.

Brooks is yet to secure a deal for next season – he was heavily linked with Manly over the weekend, where he shapes as a quality foil for Daly Cherry-Evans.

Marshall and Sheens were already on edge after the club brought in Fulton, a move that spelled the end for former recruitment boss Warren McDonnell, a close confidante of the pair.

Schuster has emerged as the latest bone of contention at the club amid talk that Fulton’s close relationship could prompt a move for the Manly five-eighth.

Marshall is known to be opposed to the move – there had been talk that if Schuster arrived, he could leave. Hagipantelis insisted the relationship between Marshall and Fulton is complimentary.

“As I say there is no issue, there is no conflict, there is no concern,” he said.

Asked about the Brooks negotiations, Hagipantelis said: “The list management committee elevates a recommendation to the board.

Tigers legend Paul Sironen with Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Tigers assistant coach Benji Marshall won’t leave the Tigers, according to the club. Picture: Getty

“The board considers the recommendation and moves forward with an offer. The offer was made. The end, the end.

“Tim and Benji had expressed a desire to retain Luke. Hence why the offer was made to him.”

Hagipantelis confirmed Schuster’s name had been raised, although he is unable to sign with any rival clubs until he enters the final year of his deal on November 1.

“Absolutely, there have been a lot of players whose names have been raised,” he said.

“He may be available for discussions after November 1 but at the moment it is also speculative and purely academic.

“It is their roles to raise these names and to go through all the pros and cons and come to a view, which is what they then act on and move forward.

“It is just disruptive. You have two people at the top of their games whose roles compliment each other, don’t conflict. That sort of stuff getting out of the list management committee saying they are not on the same page doesn’t help. It is frustrating.”