I must admit I was a little unsure about this when it was announced; was it deserved after the brand of rugby played most of the year? Was there not more deserving coaches ie. Justin Holbrook, Steve Price, Steve McNamara?

I think my overriding feeling is yes, funnily and confusing enough to both questions. Yes we have played a bit of a boring brand of rugby but in that are some brilliant and absolute rugby league masterclasses - the Warrington, Saints, Castleford wins to name but a select few. Even when we haven’t played well, we’ve almost always come away with the win, that doesn’t happen to average teams, or average coaches either. Speaking of coaches I do think, up until the 8’s Holbrook had Saints playing at the top of their game for the majority of the season, players such as Luke Thompson and Matty Gee have stepped up phenomenally. I thought they were untouchable at one stage. Then you’ve got Steve Price; okay I’ll have Warrington haven’t been the ‘best’ side all year, or even second best but with a pretty average squad he’s had them playing some good stuff. Steve McNamara I think speaks for himself, to be relegation fodder in the early to mid season and then to make the 8’a and win the Challenge Cup was remarkable.

So, was the right choice for Coach of the Year made? Absolutely. And I say that as a fully fledged signed up “W-Exiteer”. When Wane does leave he’ll leave behind a legacy, maybe not a trophy laden one but certainly an attitude legacy. A never say die, defend for your lives, tough as nails legacy. It draws criticism, and admittedly I give it (but you will also see praise from me too), as well as from other fans from other clubs but by God it is a spectacle when it clicks.

It remains to be seen if the grass is greener or covered in manure. From a fan to the coach - Good Luck Shaun Wane and thankyou for all you’ve done for Wigan RL over your 30yr career with us. I think the whole of English RL may regret letting him walk out to RU.

While I feel a new broom is now needed, and I'm very excited about the club's plans for the future, I feel it's sadder ending for SW at Wigan than he deserved.

He's been with us for 30 years in one way or another, and he's participated in multiple trophy-winning campaigns (and has masterminded several of them).

But Shaun made this bed for himself by resigning. I'm still not sure what was going on there, but given the terrible timing of it, and given how quickly he secured a top job in Union, it must be apparent that he wasn't unexpectedly pushed. That said, I don't totally blame him. I'm not sure what kind of other job he could have got in RL if he'd started to feel surplus to requirements. 'Going upstairs' tends to be a token appointment for has-beens, these days, and I just couldn't see him fitting in at any other club. But it wasn't a great move on his part, in my view.

At least he's got another trophy to add to his haul, though, and if he can crown it all on Saturday, that would be a very fitting end to his RL career.

Can’t disagree with any of that. It’s easy to forget Shaun jumped rather than be pushed, contrary to some rumours you may hear. In all honesty I’m not too convinced RU suits Shaun Wane but as you state, he’s made his bed. I don’t think we’ll ever know the real reasons why he’s resigned, I think we all know it’s nothing to do with wanting another challenge though.

I can’t wait for the Lam and then the Edwards era for Wigan. I firmly believe the culture Shaun Wane built will be kept going and developed as well as an attractive, successful playing style.

Could have been Wane or any of these three. Hope there's a stronger argument, albeit now academic, for Steve Price after Saturday.
Wane has done well to be a successful coach after Madge's tenure and I for one didn't think he had it in him. RL isn't the game it use to be and is far less attractive, but for just once I'd be happy with a 1-0 borefest just to win our first GF! Wane style may not be lamented, but the silverware will remain in the record books long after he's gone.
Here's to an enjoyable day out on Saturday!

Well deserved sad to see Wanes time at the club almost over grew up watching wane in the Wigan pack he bleeds Wigan but so does the coach for 2020 another one I’ve watched growing up! Thanks for the memories Mr Wane just make one more on Saturday please !

Oh this is absolutely without question deserved. I believe this was voted by his peers, which tells you something.
It was posted today on the official website he will leave Wigan after saturday regardless of the result knowing he has:

- Taken Wigan to 5 grand finals, so far winning 2 with hopefully a third on saturday!
- World Club Champions for the first time in 23 years
- 2 Challenge Cup finals, winning one
- Won only our 4th League leaders shield in 22 years
- Has a win percentage of near 70%
- Has given debuts to 41 homegrown players from the academy

That last line stands out for me. 41 homegrown players have made their debut under Shaun Wane and in that time he has still managed to take Wigan to finals.

Name another Super League coach who has had that record for giving young homegrown players their debut. I bet no-one comes remotely close.

I hold my hands up I have been a critic at times, as have many, but without question he has served us exceptionally. The most successful and longest serving Wigan coach in our SL history. I look forward to the Adrian Lam/Edwards era, but we should never forgot the raw passion, emotion, hard work, attitude and sheer dedication of the Shaun Wane Era.

Fingers crossed for you on saturday Shaun. You deserve it.

Congratulations Shaun....... I wonder how many keyboards took flight when this was announced.

top man, and well deserved both on this season and on his entire career.
nice piece on the bbc website with the players interviews to be broadcast on 5live tonight at 9 as part of the GF preview show.

I’ve not been his biggest fan particularly in the last 2 years but you can never doubt his passion for Wigan.

This year however you have to give him bags of credit for the turnaround he has performed with the team after it looked like our season was going to drift away into mediocrity.

Whilst we are not the prettiest to watch his passion combined with his defensive discipline has created a winning culture within the group again at the right time of the year, so this accolade and a GF win would be a fitting way or him to bow out.

If defended Wane time and time again. I also beleive we are in need of a change so him leaving is the right decision all round. Lam & Edwards have a lot to live up to.

I’d echo the others in saying his achievements over the last 7 years have been fantastic. The number of players Wane (and the rest of the coaching team) have brought through is amazing, I doubt it will ever be surpassed by any other club. In years to come I think his era will be remembered very fondly.

I know some will not agree but to will the title two years ago and avoid a relegation battle last year were both superb (though not very pretty) efforts. Last year particularly, when you compare us to other clubs who have suffered a similar number of injuries, all thinks considered we did pretty well.

Good luck in the future Shaun.

Did anybody else catch the 30 min interview on sky sports yesterday? I can understand and relate to a lot of things what have happened to him in his life and I'm still emotional now thinking about it. Good luck to you Shaun and thank you for all the great memories.

Yet again, well done Shaun. Thanks for all your hard work, dedication and trophies over the years. Possibly most of all for giving youth a chance. Best wishes in your next venture mate. Legend.

Have you a link? I only saw a short interview on sky