@JoshColeman99 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1264670) said:
From Paul Crawley at The Daily Telegraph
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has come out swinging in defence of under-fire coach Michael Maguire, declaring “there is much more to the man than the myth”.
Amid suggestions one of the main reasons Josh Addo-Carr stayed in Melbourne was because he didn’t want to be coached by Maguire, Hagipantelis argued “that is completely contrary to what we were told by his manager (Mario Tartak)”.
It comes as the struggling club prepares to finalise an end-of-season review this week to investigate why the team with the longest NRL finals drought, stretching back to 2011, slipped even further down the ladder in 2020.
Hagipantelis also opened up about the not-so-secret meeting with troubled former South Sydney centre James Roberts last week, explaining why the Tigers walked away so impressed with what the speedster had to say.
And while recommitting the board’s “unified” support for Maguire to get a contract extension, Hagipantelis couldn’t deny an unwanted perception relating to the coach’s hardline reputation scaring off potential recruits.
“Look, I don’t disagree that there is a narrative that is being pushed that Josh didn’t want to come,” Hagipantelis said.
“But that is completely contrary to what we were told by his manager … and I haven’t heard any different by either the player or the manager, and by Melbourne.” Hagipantelis added: “I would hope that it is a false narrative.
“You are right though, it is something I am not happy to read about in the press or listen to pundits speak of it that players do not want to come to the Wests Tigers. “We are doing everything that we possibly can to turn the ship around.
“You’ve got to understand, rotating and refining rosters and recruitment is like changing direction in a cruise ship. “It takes a while. It doesn’t not happen overnight. But we are definitely in the process. “We accept this year we came 11th. Last year we came ninth. “So on any objective analysis we have worsened this year … and it is unacceptable.
“So we are doing what we can and we are chasing quality players and we are speaking to young players and established players.
“But you are right, we are battling a sort of narrative at the moment which may be a perception as opposed to a reality.”
Which leads to last week’s sit down with Roberts which surprised many, especially given the mysterious way Roberts exited South Sydney with a season to run on his reported $550,000 contract.
“I agree (it did seem strange to leave without a guarantee at another club), and I can tell you from our perspective we don’t know either,” Hagipantelis said.
“But I will also tell you this, that both Adam Hartigan and Justin Pascoe left that meeting completely overwhelmed by what a quality person and how open and transparent he was in that meeting.
“We all understand that we all know people that have had their demons in life, and being able to recognise those demons and actively want to address them is a pretty endearing human quality and there is an opportunity for redemption.
“It may be construed as a failing on our part but our natural human instinct is to reach out and help people.”
Hagipantelis said “as of today” the club was not serious about recruiting Roberts for next season but that could change.
He also confirmed Maguire had the club’s full support and an extension until the end of 2023 should be finalised in due course.
“I can tell you from the board’s perspective we are unified in terms of our commitment to Madge and believe that he will be the coach that will move us forward to that next level,” he said.
“He may present as the hard task master and what not. But his passion for the club and more importantly for his players cannot be questioned.
“And all he has in mind of paramount importance is their wellbeing.”
Full support of the board...
He’s doomed. Plus Robbie is coming back, he’s got no chance ?
Farah caretaker coach from mid season