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Article by Josh Massoud September 22
UNDER-fire Tigers coach Tim Sheens gave club power brokers a verbal commitment to stand down if the team failed to qualify for this year's finals.
The 61-year-old's exit is expected to be negotiated in the coming days, following Thursday night's board meeting about his future.
It's understood the overwhelming majority of Tigers directors voted in favour of taking a new direction, despite Sheens having two seasons to run on his current deal.
The board were concerned over how the Tigers crashed out of premiership contention, winning just three of their final 11 matches. The consensus is that senior players are stale after spending their entire careers under the same coach, and badly need a fresh voice.
Sheens stands to earn a further $1 million until the end of 2014, but Wests simply don't have the funds to afford a full pay out.
As well as meeting Sheens yesterday for further negotiations toward a mutual split, Tigers officials are also seeking to raise more money or even shift him to an alternate role such as coaching co-ordinator.
Their plight will be aided immeasurably should New Zealand offer Sheens the vacant coaching post in Auckland, however it's not clear whether the veteran is keen to relocate across the Tasman.
Missing the top eight has put strain on the Tigers' budget, which was already stretched thanks to the financial woes of half-benefactor Balmain Leagues Club.
But the team's absence from the finals has also reminded high-ranking Tigers officials of a promise Sheens made early last year, when his tenure was renewed amid speculation of a return to Penrith.
"Tim told people at the club that he would step down if the team failed to reach the finals," a well-placed Tigers source said. "That's now happened, and there's a feeling that he should uphold his word." The statement was never made at board level, nor is it contractually binding.
In the wake of Thursday night's meeting, Tigers CEO Steve Humphreys confirmed Sheens' position was under review and that a decision would be made swiftly.
He declined to comment when contacted last night.
Should the Tigers reach an agreement with Sheens over the weekend, Sea Eagles assistant coach Matt Parish is favoured to lead the joint venture next season.
Sheens' assistant Peter Gentle - now at Hull FC - is also a chance.
But the future of current football staff, including recruitment manager Warren McDonnell and strength coach Brian Hyder, will be subject to review as well.
Unless he loses support from above, Humphreys will continue despite questions over the past month about recruitment and finances.
The board were critical of Beau Ryan's loss, given his marketability, and now want more input into player retention.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
UNDER-fire Tigers coach Tim Sheens gave club power brokers a verbal commitment to stand down if the team failed to qualify for this year's finals.
The 61-year-old's exit is expected to be negotiated in the coming days, following Thursday night's board meeting about his future.
It's understood the overwhelming majority of Tigers directors voted in favour of taking a new direction, despite Sheens having two seasons to run on his current deal.
The board were concerned over how the Tigers crashed out of premiership contention, winning just three of their final 11 matches. The consensus is that senior players are stale after spending their entire careers under the same coach, and badly need a fresh voice.
Sheens stands to earn a further $1 million until the end of 2014, but Wests simply don't have the funds to afford a full pay out.
As well as meeting Sheens yesterday for further negotiations toward a mutual split, Tigers officials are also seeking to raise more money or even shift him to an alternate role such as coaching co-ordinator.
Their plight will be aided immeasurably should New Zealand offer Sheens the vacant coaching post in Auckland, however it's not clear whether the veteran is keen to relocate across the Tasman.
Missing the top eight has put strain on the Tigers' budget, which was already stretched thanks to the financial woes of half-benefactor Balmain Leagues Club.
But the team's absence from the finals has also reminded high-ranking Tigers officials of a promise Sheens made early last year, when his tenure was renewed amid speculation of a return to Penrith.
"Tim told people at the club that he would step down if the team failed to reach the finals," a well-placed Tigers source said. "That's now happened, and there's a feeling that he should uphold his word." The statement was never made at board level, nor is it contractually binding.
In the wake of Thursday night's meeting, Tigers CEO Steve Humphreys confirmed Sheens' position was under review and that a decision would be made swiftly.
He declined to comment when contacted last night.
Should the Tigers reach an agreement with Sheens over the weekend, Sea Eagles assistant coach Matt Parish is favoured to lead the joint venture next season.
Sheens' assistant Peter Gentle - now at Hull FC - is also a chance.
But the future of current football staff, including recruitment manager Warren McDonnell and strength coach Brian Hyder, will be subject to review as well.
Unless he loses support from above, Humphreys will continue despite questions over the past month about recruitment and finances.
The board were critical of Beau Ryan's loss, given his marketability, and now want more input into player retention.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_