NRL 2020: Michael Maguire focused on Broncos and not Anthony Seibold
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has played a straight bat to questions about his feud with Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold despite reports the one-time allies are still bitter rivals.
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Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has refused to weigh into his falling out with Anthony Seibold during his tenure at South Sydney in 2017.
It comes as former Rabbitohs boss Shane Richardson opened up on the coaching bust-up between Maguire and Seibold in News Corp newspapers on Thursday.
According to Richardson, Maguire believes his trusted assistant helped orchestrate his sacking at Souths, setting up a fiery backdrop to Friday’s Broncos-Tigers showdown at Leichhardt.
But Maguire refused to discuss the Seibold claims when asked at training on Thursday.
“It must have been a bit of a slow news day up in Queensland,” Maguire said.
“They are trying to find a story, and I’ll let them play that out.
“I had a great time at Souths. The people there are great, but this is my club now, and I’m making sure we are focused.”
Seibold was appointed Rabbitohs coach in September ’17 within days of Maguire’s sacking.
A furious Maguire unloaded on Souths’ board on his way out, but Richardson insists Seibold didn’t backstab his then head coach.
“Seibold never white-anted Michael Maguire,” said Richardson, who resigned as Souths CEO in March.
“I spoke to Seibs about the job two days after we let Madge go. That’s the truth.
“But Michael and Anthony didn’t part very well.
“Maguire blamed Seibold (for his demise as Souths head coach) and felt he was stabbed in the back to get his job.
“There is a bit of animosity between the two of them … and that’s where it all came from.”
Maguire did a superb job instilling the hard edge that took the Rabbitohs to their first premiership in 43 years in 2014 but, three years later, the roster was at breaking point physically and mentally.
Rabbitohs hierarchy felt a change of coaching voice was needed. Seibold was given the task of providing a fresh edge, but Maguire was always suspicious of the swift nature of the installation of his successor.
Maguire believed Seibold went behind his back, building relationships with Souths players and feathering his nest with decision-makers like Richardson in the corridors of power at Redfern.
Last year, Seibold broke his silence on the issue. He was “offended” by claims he backstabbed Maguire and even suggested it was a deliberate strategy designed to create drama.
“Some people can plant stories and snidely suggest certain things about myself,” Seibold said.
“I’ve spoken to Michael Maguire since he was released from the Rabbitohs. He called me on the day of my first game as head coach.
“I haven’t spoken to him recently, but I hate that a story has been planted by someone who wants to see me hurt.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Michael Maguire focused on Broncos and not Anthony Seibold