Wests Tigers have confirmed the departure of Michael Maguire as coach, effective immediately, after three-and-a-half seasons in the role, with Brett Kimmorley to take over the role as interim coach.
Maguire was contracted with Wests Tigers until the end of the 2023 season, but the club confirmed that he would depart as coach ahead of their Round 14 clash against the Sea Eagles — thanking him for his "hard work and efforts" over the past three-and-a-half years in a short statement on Tuesday.
"We're a results-driven business, let's face it," Wests Tigers Director of Football Tim Sheens told reporters on Tuesday after the decision was made.
"At the end of the day it's the reality of professional sport.
"My recommendation [to the board] was that if we can't say that he will be our coach in three years' time, then he shouldn't be here and now is the time to do it.
"It's one of those things that is not about results but also about the future... so we'll go to market now for a coach."
Kimmorley will take over as interim for the rest of the year, having most recently featured as the club's NSW Women's Premiership coach.
"I get to go to bed tonight very excited," Kimmorley said on his new role.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity the club has given me. Tim and I have had a quick chat this afternoon about the development focus we want.
"I've been in the organisation for a while now as part of the pathways and have seen all the good work and hard work that has gone on behind the scenes. I get the opportunity to have a crack at coaching which I'm very excited about, and hopefully do a good job and we get some success back."
Maguire joined Wests Tigers ahead of the 2019 season following the sudden departure of coach Ivan Cleary and coached 80 games for the club over the following three-and-a-half seasons. He will remain as coach of the Kiwis ahead of the upcoming Rugby League World Cup which begins in October.
