Wests Tigers part ways GM of football as Tim Sheens shake up begins

The Wests Tigers’ internal review may have saved coach Michael Maguire but it hasn’t been without casualties as the club enters a new era.

Tim Sheens is already making changes. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The Wests Tigers have parted ways with general manager of football Adam Hartigan as the new era under Tim Sheens begins.

The Wests Tigers under went a review of the football department of the end what was another shambolic season as the club finished 13th, capped by an embarrassing 38-0 loss to wooden spooners the Canterbury Bulldogs in round 25.

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While coach Michael Maguire’s job was believed to be under jeopardy, the premiership winning mentor ultimately kept his job after the review.

But a matter of weeks later, Hartigan, who helped bring the likes of Daine Laurie, Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore to the club after being headhunted from the Sydney Roosters for the job, has been allowed to walk away from the club.

The club released a statement thanking Hartigan for his efforts at the club.

“Since joining the club midway through the 2019 season, Hartigan has played a key role in the recruitment and retention of a number of players to the club while also strengthening the Wests Tigers junior pathways network,” the statement read.

“Tim Sheens will assume the role of Director of Football, effective immediately, with the club to confirm its new-look football department next week.”

It comes as Tim Sheens, who led the Tigers during its 2005 Premiership win and was coach for a decade between 2003 and 2012, was brought back into the fold at the club.

He is set to become the director of football, having signed a reported three-year, $1 million deal to take the job.

Tim Sheens is in charge at the Tigers.

While it was long speculated Sheens would return to the club, he reportedly signed on the dotted line earlier this week after learning exactly how the role would work.

Sheens will reportedly have total power over the club’s football operations after the initial role was expanded.

Speaking in September, Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis explained the role the club envisioned for the 70-year four-time premiership winning coach.

“Tim will be far more actively engaged within the NRL team and football department than was originally envisaged,” he said.

“He will be an incredible resource and utility to the organisation and to the football department, in particular.

“His role is tantamount to a director of coaching role but Tim, to the extent necessary, will largely define his own role. He is entitled to do that. The man has coached over 700 first grade games.”

The Tigers can’t have another season like this. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

Already the Tigers have been linked to a big signing with Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson linked to the club, although the club has been linked strongly to many players in recent times.

Hagipantelis also said at the time that Maguire and Sheens “go back a long way”

After he was confirmed to be staying with the Tigers, Maguire also said he was looking forward to working with Sheens.

“Our recruitment policy won’t deviate – we will look to bring players in that complement our team and salary cap position,” he said at the time.

“We want players to join our club that have the passion to help the club return to its winnings ways, along with our juniors growing a stronger foundation. I’m looking forward to working with Tim to build a strong and sustainable roster.”