**EXCLUSIVE: Wests Tigers great Robbie Farah hoses down fears of Michael Maguire -Tim Sheens partnership not working out**
https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/2022-wests-tigers-tim-sheens-appointment-michael-maguire-robbie-farah-exclusive/ca98a6e8-ea21-4ee4-ac5b-5e921d4c8cc8
Wests Tigers great Robbie Farah has shot down fears of coach Michael Maguire feeling at unease over greater responsibility being handed to Tim Sheens at the embattled club.
The man who led a youthful Tigers outfit to the 2005 NRL premiership returned to the club in June as head of football performance, before taking on the role of director of coaching in September amid the club's tumultuous internal review.
The appointment led Michael Chammas of The Sydney Morning Herald to ask rugby league guru Phil Gould how Maguire would feel about it.
"How do you take it as coach... if they are bringing in someone over the top of you, Gus?" Chammas said on Nine's 100% Footy in September.
"How would Michael Maguire... take Tim Sheens' appointment?"
The two-man partnership between Sheens and Maguire, the man who steered the Rabbitohs to the 2014 NRL title, is a hot talking point heading into the 2022 season.
But as the Tigers filter back to the club for pre-season training, intent on ending a 10-year finals exile, Farah has hosed down talk of Maguire being uncomfortable with Sheens' appointment in an interview with Wide World of Sports.
"I don't think that's the case at all, to be honest," said Farah, who's now a Tigers trainer.
"When you can bring in someone of Sheensy's quality you would be mad not to.
"He can oversee the whole football program. He's not only there to oversee what's happening with the NRL squad; it's about laying the foundations in our junior pathways, our grassroots, making sure we're a strong club from the bottom up.
"That's what it's about, that's what brings us sustained success. It's not about making the semi-finals for one season and then dropping out the year after; it's about making sure that we're a competitive club year on end.
"That's because you lay the foundations and that starts from the bottom up and that's what Sheensy's role is.
"I think it's a great appointment, I know Madge thinks it's a great appointment.
"They've been great," Farah said.
"I know Madge is really keen to work with Tim.
Paws must be beside himself with this news?
I can't wait for Maguire to get his instructions from Sheens. I hope it is words to the effect
"Michael, that crap you've been serving up for three years, five hit ups and a bomb is never to be played again at WTs. We have the players, we play football, throw it around. Oh, Michael, have Nathan implement a cohesive and effective defensive plan".
You know deep down, that is not what is going to happen, but keep dreaming.?
It is though. Sheens runs everything now. He tells Madge to jump and Madge will ask how high.
Keep believing, you know it’s a dream.
TW we could go back and forth on this all day. Just look at the org chart. Madge below Sheens.
Yes he is, but so, Pascoe is above Sheens, that doesn’t mean he will manage the footy? It’s why he got Sheens in the first place, do you really believe he will take over coaching the team? There is a lot of other things to get organised (like getting some players) to do, before he needs to worry about the coach.
Yeah but Sheens is head of the football department. The buck stops with him and if he disagrees with Madge then Sheens gets his way. On your last point, on field is the first thing that needs attention, so I’m thinking his role will be very hands on. 3 years of Madgeball is enough, change that and we can move forward. If however he decides to be hands off, Madge will be gone by mid year. He’s not good enough.
