Article by Dean Ritchie September 21
UNDER-pressure Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens might have survived a marathon three-hour board meeting Thursday night - but he is still fighting desperately for his career.
The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed yesterday that Sheens' 10-year Tigers reign was under threat.
Tigers board members entered a meeting at 6.30pm at their Concord Oval offices and emerged at 9.30pm unable to confirm or deny whether Sheens, who has two years remaining on his contract, would be sacked.
The drama comes after revelations Tigers players met on Monday at The Oaks in Neutral Bay where they spoke about losing confidence in their coach.
It is understood the board was presented with several options, one being that Sheens be permitted to leave immediately to coach New Zealand Warriors.
The major issue is whether the financially struggling club can find enough money for a hefty pay-out to Sheens, the Kangaroos coach.
Wests Tigers chief executive Steve Humphreys emerged late last night from the meeting to say: "Nobody in any part of our club is satisfied with the 2012 performance and we're all committed to doing everything we can to ensure improved results.
"Over the course of the last week there has been considerable public comment about the issue of player retention and recruitment as well as speculation regarding the future of our head coach.
"As you would expect we will complete our review process and agree our future plans in a prompt but orderly fashion to ensure the best possible outcome for our club. It would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this time."
Pressed on Sheens' future, Humphreys said: "We understand the interest in that topic and speculation that surrounds it. But while we want to address that promptly, we put a higher priority on having the review and getting the right outcomes.
"Tim wants to stay involved, Tim loves the game, loves our club and would love to stay involved. But we need to review all aspects of the business and we're getting close to a conclusion on that."
Going into the meeting, there were suggestions that Sheens would not have the numbers to survive. Sheens though is adamant he will not walk.
The Daily Telegraph was told that Manly and NSW assistant Matt Parish was favourite to take over if Sheens was shifted.
Parish is a rising coach with immense ability. He is a former Balmain player whose father Don played and coached the Western Suburbs Magpies and represented Australia.
Other candidates being discussed include Nathan Brown, Dean Pay, Jim Dymock and Mick Potter.
Manly is aware Parish will leave after this season, being linked to Parramatta as Ricky Stuart's assistant. Some at Wests Tigers hope Sheens will walk away quietly with a handsome pay-out.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
