League legend Matty Johns has thrown his assist behind Michael Maguire, claiming he could be a “great pick” to take over the NSW Blues head coach function.
The 49-year-old presently works as New Zealand’s coach and can be on Ricky Stuart’s workers on the Raiders as a senior NRL guide.
In 2022, Maguire was sacked by the Tigers, placing an finish to an arduous three-and-a-half yr slog at Leichhardt earlier than Tim Sheens took over in 2023 and was additionally ousted.
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Brad Fittler resigned from his function as NSW coach in late September and since a number of candidates have surfaced to fill the place.
Stuart has already dominated out a return to the Origin enviornment, whereas Craig Bellamy, Laurie Daley and Paul McGregor have additionally been floated as potential candidates.
But for Johns, Maguire could be a coach able to make “tough decisions”.
“I would have no problem appointing a coach who has a club affiliation because I think you need to be coach fit,” Johns mentioned on SEN.
“You’ve got to be ready to make those tough decisions, deal with scenarios on the run and have the strength of personality to be used to ringing players and saying, ‘Listen, I like what you’re about but apologies I’m not going to pick you in the side.’
“Head coaches are used to doing that, they’re seasoned to do it and for that reason I think Michael Maguire would be a great pick.”
Prior to Fittler’s resignation, Greg Alexander, Danny Buderus and Paul McGregor had all stood down from their respective roles.
Reports surfaced Fittler had pitched to the NSWRL board each Ivan Cleary and Phil Gould would come on board.
However, nothing eventuated and Johns believes the mass departures sums up the state of NSW rugby league presently.
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“I think it’s symbolic of where we’re at, at the moment with NSW rugby league and the structure of it,” Johns mentioned.
“You’ve got more people taking a step back than people taking a step forward.
“I don’t know why exactly that is. Maybe it’s because of what Freddie’s been through in the last three or four months.
“All the uncertainty has spooked potential coaches. Perhaps they don’t quite trust the set-up.”
A training group together with Daley, Maguire and McGregor has additionally been floated as a possible possibility for 2024.
However, Johns additionally warned in opposition to the transfer, explaining choices must be made by a “figurehead”.
“Billy was appointed the head coach of Queensland and from there he has gone and assembled his coaching team with Cameron [Smith] and Johnathan [Thurston],” Johns mentioned.
“It’s really important to have a figurehead. If you throw everyone in together, you can end up with a mish mash of ideas and players not exactly knowing who is in charge.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
