Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire vows to fight on despite speculation over future
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has spoken following reports of a crisis meeting about his future at the club.
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Under siege Michael Maguire has vowed to fight on as head coach of the Wests Tigers despite another shocking capitulation on Sunday to the Manly Sea Eagles.
Reports emerged on Sunday night that the Kiwi Test coach was seriously under the pump and that the Wests Tigers board would hold a crisis meeting to discuss his future.
This was strongly denied by the club’s chairman Lee Hagipantelis.
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Maguire later spoke to The Daily Telegraph about his determination to continue.
“It’s a noise that’s been created off the back of our performance,” Maguire said.
“I’m not worried (about the speculation). We’re solid on what we’re trying to do here, that’s what I’m focused on.
“I’ve been around long enough to know what we’ve got to do.”
At the same time Hagipantelis would not guarantee Maguire’s future for the remainder of the season, despite the fact the coach recently signed a two-year extension.
“I can’t guarantee that the sun will come up tomorrow,” Hagipantelis said.
“After 33 years as a lawyer the word ‘guarantee’ has never fallen out of my lips.
“You can’t guarantee anything. Still, I’m not saying his job is on the line.”
However the chairman said he was shocked by reports the Wests Tigers were on the verge of holding a crisis meeting to axe the coach.
His contract was recently extended for two years but there is a performance clause in the deal.
“There’s no crisis meeting and there’s no suggestion at all we’re terminating the coach,” Hagipantelis said.
“I spoke to all our directors at the ground. There was no talk of any meetings about Madge. It’s not happening. We’re all disappointed of course, but we’ll take a deep breath and start again.
“We’re grossly disappointed with the result but we won’t panic.”
Another director Simon Cook said: “I know nothing about a crisis meeting,” when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.
The club later released the following statement: “Contrary to a media report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Wests Tigers can vehemently deny there are crisis meetings being held at the club.
“Whilst disappointed with recent results, all at Wests Tigers remain firmly united and committed to producing a strong and competitive season together, and ready to get back to work tomorrow (Monday) in preparation for Round 8.”
Maguire must however consider sweeping changes to his side with now the time to reward the reserve grade side who are flying high near the top of the table.
“We have a strong group underneath coming through and I’ve got some really good performers there, but I’ll make the right calls on what I see being right moving forward,” Maguire said.
The Wests Tigers are 14th on the ladder (equal last) after just one win from seven starts.
The Tigers have conceded 218 points to start the season, the most in the NRL this season and the most in the club’s history after seven matches.
Former international James Graham conceded the effort in defence was concerning.
“The warning signs were there pretty early,” Graham told Fox League.
“The early break from Morgan Harper... worrying signs from early on and Wests Tigers are going to have to fix up their defence.”
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