League legend Matty Johns has thrown his support behind Michael Maguire, claiming he would be a “great pick” to take over the NSW Blues head coach role.
The 49-year-old currently works as New Zealand’s coach and is also on Ricky Stuart’s staff at the Raiders as a senior NRL consultant.
In 2022, Maguire was sacked by the Tigers, putting an end to an arduous three-and-a-half year slog at Leichhardt before Tim Sheens took over in 2023 and was also ousted.
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Brad Fittler resigned from his role as NSW coach in late September and since a host of candidates have surfaced to fill the position.
Stuart has already ruled out a return to the Origin arena, while Craig Bellamy, Laurie Daley and Paul McGregor have also been floated as potential candidates.
But for Johns, Maguire would be a coach ready to make “tough decisions”.
“I would have no problem appointing a coach who has a club affiliation because I think you need to be coach fit,” Johns said on SEN.
“You’ve got to be ready to make those tough decisions, deal with scenarios on the run and have the strength of personality to be used to ringing players and saying, ‘Listen, I like what you’re about but apologies I’m not going to pick you in the side.’
“Head coaches are used to doing that, they’re seasoned to do it and for that reason I think Michael Maguire would be a great pick.”
Prior to Fittler’s resignation, Greg Alexander, Danny Buderus and Paul McGregor had all stood down from their respective roles.
Reports surfaced Fittler had pitched to the NSWRL board both Ivan Cleary and Phil Gould would come on board.
However, nothing eventuated and Johns believes the mass departures sums up the state of NSW rugby league currently.
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“I think it’s symbolic of where we’re at, at the moment with NSW rugby league and the structure of it,” Johns said.
“You’ve got more people taking a step back than people taking a step forward.
“I don’t know why exactly that is. Maybe it’s because of what Freddie’s been through in the last three or four months.
“All the uncertainty has spooked potential coaches. Perhaps they don’t quite trust the set-up.”
A coaching group including Daley, Maguire and McGregor has also been floated as a potential option for 2024.
However, Johns also warned against the move, explaining decisions should be made by a “figurehead”.
“Billy was appointed the head coach of Queensland and from there he has gone and assembled his coaching team with Cameron [Smith] and Johnathan [Thurston],” Johns said.
“It’s really important to have a figurehead. If you throw everyone in together, you can end up with a mish mash of ideas and players not exactly knowing who is in charge.”
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