Legendary Storm fullback Billy Slater has questioned why Wests Tigers officials are reportedly on the verge of axing coach Michael Maguire, insisting the embattled club’s problems do not lie with the under-fire mentor.
Michael Chammas of the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday afternoon that there remained “a strong push within the club to get rid of him”, which could result in an axing as early as Tuesday.
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As Slater looked back on the long list of coaches the Tigers had churned through over the last decade – that list includes Tim Sheens, Michael Potter, Jason Taylor and Ivan Cleary – he insisted that the Concord club must make its next call “the right decision”.
“If I was a player at the Wests Tigers I would have a real uncomfortable feeling in my belly. How many coaches have the Wests Tigers gone through in the last 10 years? It’s crazy,” Slater said on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio.
“They need to get the right person.
“We know Michael Maguire is a successful coach. He’s won a premiership at the Bunnies … I saw a lot of drive and passion from Madge this year.
“It would be disappointing to see him move on, but if the board thinks that that’s the best thing for the club then they need to make that decision and get on with it.”
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While Cleary departed the Tigers on his accord to return to coaching the Panthers, Sheens, Potter and Taylor were all sacked before the end of their contract and received significant pay-outs.
“I don’t mind paying out a coach if it’s the right decision,” Slater said.
“It’s got to be the right decision. There’s been too many wrong decisions in recent times at the Tigers. They need to make the right decision and make sure of it.”
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