Just heard a rumour from a reasonable source that IL is after another Aussie to replace Madge.

Personally, I would not be happy with this as Waney deserves a chance and may leave if he is snubbed.

Also, IL said Waney was to be groomed as Madge's successor.

It may also just be that Wane + IL have talked about it and maybe agree that Wane could be better served as an assistant for another couple of years?

I know a few of us on here advocated for Wane to go over to Auz next year, to form his on thoughts and ideas on the game all whilst being immersed and familiarized with the latest happenings in the NRL. Now with Madge potentially leaving a year early that plan appears unlikely to happen, unfortunately. Sadly it seems the best worked plans don't always come off.

As much as he was a success of the reserve team, would nobody be worried at all that we would be giving a guy with only 2 years involvement with a first team squad as an assistant? I'd like another Maguire-type coach to come in for a 2-3 yr spell and Wane serve his apprenticeship a bit longer.

Madge was an assistant when we signed him.

Not worried for a second.

His got that Mike Gregory spirit about him that just makes people wanna run thier blood to water for him.

He's gonna absolutely beast it as our next coach.

Shaun Wane needs to work for longer as an assistant IMO, I would bring in another up and coming Aussie over who has worked under some great coaches so Wane can learn for a bit longer.

Adrian Lam perhaps?

Yeah, but how many years had Madge been an assistant? More than 2 I'd imagine.

Quick question, Has any other British SL coach had as much experience at coaching at any level before being given a shot at the first team? I can only think of Nobby, but not sure how long he spent learning the trade before hand.

Ive not a clue, but how many British SL coaches (apart from Nobby) have been successful?

Answers on a postage stamp?

I think Wane will be a great head coach, I just wish he had a couple more years as an Asst first. Even just the 3rd year with Madge would have been enough imo.

That in my opinion is why most English coaches fail. IIRC Maguire worked his way up, didn't he do conditioning coaching as well? I think he was 5 years as an assisstant.

I believe Wane will make an outstanding Wigan coach but i would like him to do at least 2 more years as assisstant first.

That in my opinion is why most English coaches fail. IIRC Maguire worked his way up, didn't he do conditioning coaching as well? I think he was 5 years as an assisstant.

I believe Wane will make an outstanding Wigan coach but i would like him to do at least 2 more years as assisstant first.

We may learn more about the Madge situation after tonight's match according to Andy Wilson from the Guardian...

Think thats what a lot of the aussie press have been hinting towards as well.

Was told he had big falling out with IL two weeks ago.

Heard anything like this?

If there's anything that casts Wigan/IL/Madge in a bad light, that git will find it.

You never know what goes on behind the scenes, maybe Wane and IL have had that conversation, maybe Wane has thrown his keys into the basket.

Personally, like many others, I'd be happy with Wane as head coach, I think he's fully deserving of his shot at the 'big time'

God I love being right

Yeah cos I'm pretty sure you are the only one who ever thought that would happen weren't you.

Five years he served.

Wane might have been excellent with the academy/reserves, but with just two years experience as an assistant at Super League level I think he is a little under prepared. I would hope Wane can be honest with himself (and Wigan) and be straight with Ian Lenagan if he feels he is not experienced enough for the job. He may feel he is ready for the job, but personally I would like to see him serve under another top Australian coach for a few more years before he gets the job. Tim Sheens on a three year deal with Shaun Wane as assistant for example.

The coaching job is the number one priority for us, but Ian Lenagan has a busy year ahead of him. With Martin Gleeson gone, George Carmont, Ryan Hoffman, Andy Coley and Paul Deacon all set to leave, we really need to sign some experienced players.

We definitely need to sign an experienced centre for me. A halfback should be on the cards with Leuluai moving to hooker and possibly another forward.

New coach

Centre
Prop
Halfback

No pressure Ian

Reading some of the comments saying 'Maguire won't be leaving us, he still has a job to do/loves Wigan/wants to see the third optional year out blah blah blah' might suggest that a lot of people thought he wouldnt be going.


Lets be honest he was only ever going to coach a superleague club until an NRL side wanted him as head coach.

Same as Nathan Brown. If the Dragons wanted him back (or any other club) he would go in an instant.

Poor old PHIPPS believes in his own publicity.
South were not the first offer he had!
Most of RL knows this so why doesn't PHIPPS?

I know a few of us fans are worried about Wigan possibly losing a lot of experienced players next year. Personally I'd let Deacon retire, as once Finch has fully settled in he'll provide us with the things Deacon currently does. I'd love to keep Carmont, particularly seeing as we've lost Gleeson at least a year earlier than we should have. Coley although he's been a great player I'd let him retire. We'd still have experience in the frontrow provided by Fielden and Lima, plus Prescott can hardly be called inexperienced. Again I'd love us to keep Hoffman but we'll have to wait and see on that one.

I really don't see us signing many for next year, possibly 1 or a maximum of two.

Frontrow:
Fielden
Lima
Prescott
Mossop
Hock
Crosby
Davies

Backrow:
Lockers
Joel? Possibly in the centres next year?
Hoffman?
Farrel
Hansen
Tuson

Halves and Hookers:
Sam? Could still be at FB next year.
Finch
Leuluai
McIlorum
Mellor
Powell

Threequarters:
Pat
Goulding
Roberts
Marsh
Charnley
Pryce?
King
Russell

Looking at the above the only signing I'd make would be a centre. That would allow Joel to remain the backrow. Because to potentially lose Hoffman from the secondrow and Joel to the centre's leaves us light in that position for mine. As for everywhere else we've plenty of options open to us. Particularly when we want to start integrating some of the youngsters knocking on the door of the first team. Such as the likes of King, Crosby and Mellor.