Wests Tigers now need a new coach and a new approach to how they do business

BUZZ ROTHFIELD: The Wests Tigers need a lot more than a new footy coach. From the board to player power, the club must change how it does business.

The Wests Tigers need a lot more than a new footy coach to replace Jason Taylor.

This is the much needed opportunity to look at the big picture and start from scratch at all levels of the football club.

The fact Taylor had lost the dressing sheds is only part of the problem — and we’ll get to that shortly.

Every week senior players were clashing with the coach on tactics.

Not just the big four, James Tedesco, Aaron Woods, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks but other senior players.

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“Taylor wanted to things one way but the players knew it wasn’t going to work,” said one reliable source, “They tried to approach him respectfully but it just wasn’t working out.”

Before the 40-point loss to the Canberra Raiders on Sunday, the Wests Tigers did five video sessions in the build up to the game.

“They were brain-drained by the time they got to Canberra,” the source said.

Taylor began losing the support of Wests Tigers management towards the end of the season after a deal for Robbie Farah to play his 250th game at the club fell over.

On a Monday morning Wests Tigers general manager Mark O’Neill visited the offices of player manager Sam Ayoub, Farah’s agent. They did an agreement where Farah would get his 250th on the proviso that he left at the end of 2016.

Ayoub took it to Farah and he agreed. O’Neill took it to CEO Justin Pascoe and he also agreed.

Finally, there was a solution to the standoff that had torn the club apart.

Only problem is, Taylor didn’t agree and dumped Farah to reserve grade the next day.

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The players have had doubts about Taylor for a long time.

It started last year over the Farah sacking but they kept it quiet because of all the backstabbing that went on over the removal of previous coaches Mick Potter and Tim Sheens.

As much as they supported Farah, they couldn’t be seen to be undermining Taylor.

But back to the big picture topics.

Long-term issues far more important than this weekend’s game against Melbourne Storm.

The changes need to start at Wests Tigers board level with chair Marina Go and possibly chief executive Justin Pascoe.

Go was originally appointed by former NRL chief executive Dave Smith. She is a former journalist and women’s magazine editor who recently parted company with Bauer Media.

Wests Tigers NRL CEO Justin Pascoe and Chair Marina Go haven’t impressed. Photo: Brett Costello

There is a lesson here that can be learnt from the Cronulla Sharks. Three years ago when they were at rock bottom, they started the repair job from the top.

They brought in highly successful businessman Damian Keogh. The CEO of Hoyts and a senior marketing figure at the Sydney Olympics. A three-time Olympian with a rich sporting background.

He quickly identified the club’s strengths and weaknesses and acted accordingly. The rest is history.

The late coaching legend Jack Gibson once said: “winning starts at the front office.”

It sure is the case at the Wests Tigers.

Taylor has battled player power and a disorganised board. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

They have a bizarre boardroom structure where Go as the chair has absolutely no power. She is one of two independents with two from Balmain who sit alongside five from the Wests Magpies who hold the balance of power.

The jury is still out too on CEO Pascoe and whether he is the right man to take the club forward. Previously he was football manager at the Penrith Panthers but left because he couldn’t get the big job.

So when people like Phil Gould are not convinced he is CEO material, there is a question mark.

A question mark over the Robbie Farah debacle last year and how poorly it was managed at all levels.

A question mark over the club culture that has allowed the senior players to have so much power.

It’s why this club needs much more than a new footy coach. They need someone who will put an ultimatum to Tedesco, Woods, Moses and Brooks.

They either stay or they go but they won’t be deciding who coaches the team.

And then this club can start moving ahead again.