New club, same approach as hard-nosed Michael Maguire arrives at Tigers
Michael Maguire’s intense coaching style won him a premiership at South Sydney but left his players struggling to keep up. So its bad news for any Wests Tigers players hoping to coast through season 2019.
HE was accused at South Sydney of being too tense and relentless — but new Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has vowed he won’t change.
And the reason is simple — it brings success.
Tigers players will be pushing the bus rather being on it this pre-season after Maguire fronted the media for the first time as Wests coach on Monday and was hit with a range of questions about his hard-line approach to coaching.
Rabbitohs players privately protested Maguire’s intense approach during the coach’s sixth year in charge at Redfern, just three seasons after the club’s 2014 grand final win.
Maguire knows he can be tense but adds: “But I also enjoy winning too. Being able to win and win competitions is part of what it takes, the intensity around coaching.
“I probably haven’t changed my personality much from Wigan to Souths and they seemed to get to the right places. I will have that similar feel around what we do here.
“I’m sure there’s going to be some intensity at some stages. You do get tunnel vision about what you do.
“Everyone has a different perception of who you are. But I am very passionate around what I do. It will also come back to the players. I know quite a lot of the players anyway and they know what I’m like.
“Ultimately, they know why I do things and that’s because I want each individual to be successful. Josh Reynolds, he is a competitor, I love how he competes, he’s got a bit of intensity about him too — I think he and I will get along pretty well.
“You learn a lot about yourself. The makings of how I did things. Things I could have done differently at the times, understanding situations. You mellow a little bit. It’s a club we want to build and I want to build it fast.”
Maguire’s staunch approach does not worry Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe.
“He certainly has a fierce determination to win and that’s what this club needs,” Pascoe said. “He really showed a passion and care around trying to make sure this becomes a sustainable club, not just on the field but off it as well.
“Through the process of acquiring a new coach, Michael really demonstrated the highest quality of professionalism.”
Maguire took over training at Concord on Monday on the first day of his three-year contract, looking to rid the club of the stigma that they struggle to handle pressure, having won just one premiership in their 20-year existence.
“I really enjoy coming to a club and building a club,” Maguire said. “That’s everything — not just on the field. From my experiences of travelling overseas to Wigan and back to Souths, and my early days as an assistant coach, I really enjoy building all facets of a club.
“Twenty years is a long time but I have been able to enjoy (success) at one other club, so to be able to do it here at Wests Tigers is something I am really passionate about.”
Maguire wants it known he has the squad to reach the finals next season.
Pressed though on winning a title, Maguire said: “In time that will show itself. Any squad is capable in this game. The competition is so close. It comes down to one or two plays.
“We have a strong squad with good leadership. Benny Matulino to Russell Packer, Benji (Marshall), Robbie (Farah), there’s lots, Chris Lawrence, a lot of strong names there and then complementing that with the young kids coming through.”
Maguire wouldn’t rule out trying to sign some players from the New Zealand Test side.
“You never know,” he said.
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