Actually I’ve given this a lot of thought.
Since this latest challenge in the development of Wests Tigers presented itself I have been very restrained in my posts and thoughts. I’ve let it play out. I’ve reserved judgement.
So, after careful consideration I have formed the opinion that we need a long term coach to build our on-field success. We need someone with a vision to build our roster and brand thus attracting top line players. If you’ve read my posts over time you’ll know I value the importance of building a roster with top class players. For us to do this we need a long term coach - otherwise these players will not come.
I want Ivan to be that coach.
But if he wants to be with his son in 2021 or earlier - he is not what we need.
So, I may not agree with your thoughts and ideas but rest assured I have given it quite a lot of thought
OK fair enough I may have stated my position a bit harshly.
I personally would not extend any coach beyond the current 2 years remaining without having first made the finals. Improvement is good, but Ivan should not be re-signed until we make the finals, and frankly we need to do it both of the remaining seasons that he has. I don't care if he has ambitions beyond 2020 - I am confident all head coaches have a similar sort of ambition, it just may not be in the public conscious.
E.g. Craig Bellamy has either had serious thoughts, several times now, about going to Broncos… or at least mentioning the Broncos to leverage more money out of Storm. He can do that because he's Craig Bellamy, but I reject the idea a coach has to want to be there long-term to be of any good, or will lack motivation if he has long-term plans. What we need is not a dreamer, we need a bloke to take us to the finals with some consistency, and if he leaves at some point, or we fire him, leaves the club in better shape than when he came.
I'd love a long-term coach to build on-field success, but the reality is that most coaches are not long-term. It's too cut-throat. Would love to sign a Bellamy, Robinson or Bennett, because they are really the only coaches who have terms of the type you are speaking. Everyone else is 2-3 years at a time, then they roll over if success is not forthcoming.
And recalling that the last long-term coach we had won 1 comp and made 3 finals in 10 seasons - widely considered insufficient, and if not for the premiership, arguably laughable. Good bloke, good coach, smart operator, strong history of coaching... and lacked overall success for Tigers.
Yep - get what you’re saying.
Agree that we must make the 8 next year. Nothing else comes close to a pass.
Agree that the coaching world is tumultuous.
But we need stability to attract personnel. Cleary and Pascoe seemingly were like minded and I bought into the package - together they would rebuild our club. Now I’m not so sure.
I don’t want to discover we’re not attracting talent because our coaching staff is not settled. Or that current players are not putting in because the coach they believed in is heading west (literally!!).
Look at this weeks teams: Easts, Sharks and Storm have coaching stability. Souths are the anomaly.
Just my opinion, that’s all.