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Wests Tigers chairman explains club’s U-turn on Michael Maguire

Alex ConradNCA NewsWire
Maguire will coach the Wests Tigers in 2022. Phil Hillyard
Camera IconMaguire will coach the Wests Tigers in 2022. Phil Hillyard Credit: News Corp Australia

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis called Michael Maguire “the best person for that role at this point in time” as he explained the club’s decision to stick with the embattled coach.

Maguire appeared to be a dead man walking with each passing day as the Tigers’ annual end-of-season review continued, having led the club to a frustrating 13th-place finish.

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The disappointing 2021 season continued the Tigers’ drought of not qualifying for the finals in 10 years.

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However, after Maguire plead his case to the board on Monday, the club confirmed the coach would remain at the helm for the 2022 season.

When pressed on exactly what made the Tigers board seemingly have a change of heart, Hagipantelis believed there was no-one else better suited to bring success back to the Tigers.

“[It’s a] commitment by the board to the fact that Michael is the best person for that role at this time,” Hagipantelis told SEN.

“He has expressed a commitment to this club, supported by his passion and dedication for the role.

“He is eminently qualified. The players have responded well to him; we have a very young and exciting roster that I think will benefit from his experience.

Wests Tigers
Camera IconMaguire will coach the Wests Tigers in 2022. Phil Hillyard Credit: News Corp Australia

“Michael put his case forward with eloquence and passion, and was very convincing.

“The entire board, comprised primarily of the football committee, were left in no doubt that Michael Maguire is the man to lead this club forward.”

With Maguire now locked in as the club’s head coach for the foreseeable future, the club can also turn its head towards the 2022 season.

One key quality the club needs to rectify if it wants to make a splash next year is the visible lack of leadership both on and off the field.

However, Hagipantelis was quick to state the club would ensure Maguire has the leaders he needs on the field in order to break their finals drought.

“I’ve always felt that leadership is an incredibly important quality,” Hagipantelis said.

“People lead in different ways. Some people lead by example, other people lead by their words.

“Michael is a leader in that organisation, there’s no doubt.

“There are other leaders as well. Do we need other leaders on the paddock, would it help? Perhaps.

“But these are things for the football committee and Michael to address.”

Originally published as Wests Tigers chairman explains club’s U-turn on Michael Maguire

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