Wests Tigers sack coach Jason Taylor following loss to Raiders
UPDATE: Jason Taylor has been sacked by Wests Tigers effective immediately, the club revealed in a statement. Ivan Cleary has firmed as the long-term replacement.
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JASON Taylor has been sacked by Wests Tigers effective immediately, the club revealed in a statement today.
Tigers chairwoman Marina Go said the decision had not been easy.
“On behalf of everyone at Wests Tigers I’d like to thank Jason for his commitment and contribution to the club during his time as head coach,” she said.
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“Jason has overseen significant change within the club over the past two seasons and we thank him for his efforts.
“Our position has always been to make sure that the head coach’s contract is tied to performance and that hasn’t changed.
“We are committed to building a side that will be in a position to win NRL premierships and believe that this decision is the correct one for the future of the club.”
Current Wests Tigers assistant coach Andrew Webster will take on the role of interim head coach.
The frontrunner to replace Taylor long-term, Ivan Cleary, refused to confirm or deny whether he was headed to Leichhardt.
Cleary remained tight-lipped when contacted by the Daily Telegraph, increasing speculation he will replace Taylor.
The former Panthers and Warriors coach and now NRL match review and referees adviser said: “Thanks mate but I’ve got nothing to report.”
The NRL has not heard from Cleary about his future plans.
He spent Monday working with the referees at Homebush in a review of their round three performances.
There has been speculation also linking Cowboys assistant coach Todd Payten who, like Cleary, would be ready to start immediately.
An exclusive online poll revealed Cleary as the frontrunner to take the helm at the Tigers, with 50 per cent of voters naming him the ideal coach to take the joint venture forward.
The Telegraph understands Tigers board members made the decision to move in another direction after Sunday’s thumping 46-6 loss to the Canberra Raiders.
It had also become clear superstar fullback James Tedesco, skipper Aaron Woods, five-eighth Mitchell Moses and halfback Luke Brooks were not prepared to sign new contracts while Taylor was the NRL head coach.
All have hesitated in recent negotiations because of the uncertainty over the coaching position.
The players do not dislike Taylor but feel they need new direction to become better players and win a premiership at the Wests Tigers.
Taylor took over as coach in 2015 replacing Mick Potter and had 20 wins from his 51 matches in charge.
The club has not made the finals under his stewardship but were in contention until Round 26 last year and would have finished eighth if they’d beaten the Raiders in their final match of the season.
One of the most notable aspects of his time with the club was his ongoing feud with Robbie Farah, which resulted in the former skipper leaving the club in bitter fashion at the end of last season.
HOW TIGER TAYLOR FELL
TAYLOR LANDS TIGERS GIG
Jason Taylor is announced as the replacement for outgoing coach Mick Potter.
WINNING BEGINNINGS
Taylor’s first game as coach, a 19-18 win over the Titans.
FARAH V TAYLOR
Tigers legend Robbie Farah is told by the club he’s unwanted at Leichhardt and is free to explore options elsewhere for the upcoming season. The now infamous Farah-Taylor feud begins with a cold war erupting in the public eye.
HORROR SEASON ENDS
The regular season ends with the Tigers finishing equal last on points with Newcastle, avoiding the wooden spoon only on percentages.
STAGGERING LOSS
The Raiders hand the Tigers one of their biggest defeats in the club’s history with a 60-6 thrashing in the nation’s capital.
BYE-BYE ROBBIE
A win against Canberra in the final round for the Tigers would propel the joint-venture into their first finals series in five years and reaffirm Jason Taylor’s position as head coach. The Tigers are belted 52-10 at their spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval. Robbie Farah is farewelled by the club with a lap of honour at half-time.
FARAH SET FOR RABBITOHS
Long-serving hooker Robbie Farah officially signs with South Sydney for the following season.
WOODS DRAWS LINE IN SAND
Aaron Woods tells NRL 360 he won't sign another contract until his club decides Jason Taylor's future. The Tigers captain declared, "You want to know who is in control in the future."
DEJA VU AS RAIDERS THRASH TIGERS
The Raiders thrash the Tigers 46-6 in Canberra just a week after losing 36-2 to Penrith. Tigers officials reportedly make the decision to sack Taylor following the loss.
TIGERS TO SACK JT WITHIN HOURS
Reports reveal Jason Taylor has been sacked from the Wests Tigers.
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