Thanks very much, mate. This is what I'd call a ground-level view of Mike Maguire, something that up until now we haven't heard.

Shaun Wane and Ian Lenagan have waxed lyrical about Maguire's attributes, but I suppose, if you were cynical, you could argue that it would be in their interests to make the guy look good. This, however, clearly comes from someone who has no agenda, so it's very interesting and exciting. This post should be cut and pasted onto every thread on the forum, just to make sure no-one misses it.

I agree...

Its almost too good to be true...



Seriously, I haven't looked forward to a season as much as next season for a very long time. Not because I'm expecting us to win everything but because the pieces are finally falling into place to allow the club to get back to the top. We have the best crop of young players any team has had for many years. We have the best facilities (fixture clashes aside!). We have the best fans (as shown in the relegation battle season) and success will surely see us regain the biggest attendance crown from Leeds. We have the best brand - as angry Saints fans are finding out, no one is talking about the GF, they're all talking about Wigan...

We SHOULD be the most successful club in SL with all that going for us, which is of course why we are so feared by every other club in SL... I am so looking forward to even more hatred and bile being directed at Wigan as MM, SW and IL take the club over the next few years back where it belongs, as undisputed top dogs of British RL

Awesome post and very informative.

I hope that gives other fans of other teams to swallow their words before they start chatting about someone they don't know about!

yeah, fair enough. it was a bit sycophantic.

after a horrible 18 months with super legend player cum friggin' disaster coach Brad Fittler, as fans you spend a huge amount of time on the forum (ours is called The Wall) setting up your wish list of what type of coach you want to replace the incumbent.

i suppose Maguire just fit the bill in so many ways I'm still in mourning. We would have had Kearney too, but he is less experienced.

Great first post Norweb (and superb user name!

). The things you have posted are exatly the things that are exciting us Wigan fans about the appointment of MM. As you say, success is never guaranteed, but at least we know this appontment has all the hallmarks of a club looking to 'shake things up'. That is what we have been asking for as fans. Now begins an interesting ride....

I also think the bit in bold from the above post is an interesting take for all those bemoaning his 'lack of head ooach' status.

Fantastic post buddy if that hasn't raised expectations even further than I don't know what will. Should be playing some good rugby next year and maybe with a new signing or two if todays article on WiganToday is anything to go by.

So what is this Wane fella like?

was he on the fans radar prior to the press speculation that he might get the top job?

Shaun was a Wigan prop forward during our 'golden age', when we won virtually every trophy going. If memory serves, he got Man of the Match in Wigan's 8-4 victory over Manly in the first World Club Challenge in 1987.

He's been a stalwart of the club ever since, coaching at various junior levels. Nearly all of his teams have been hugely successful, to the point where he's very widely respected in the British game. For a time before the Wigan fans realised that MM was in line for the post, many of them were hoping that Shaun would get the nod, but nearly all now recognise that it's probably too soon for Shaun, and that he'll benefit enormously from working as assistant to am expert modernist like MM. Shaun certainly takes this POV. He's apparently already had several lengthy telephone sessions with MM, as they start to devise their strategy for the new season. And has reported back with colossal enthusiasm.

He was the reserve grade coach last year and we won the Grand Final as well as finishing top after the weekly rounds. Also went a full year unbeaten.

In addition he was a Wigan player for 10 years, taking the Man of the Match at the first ever World Club Challenge against Manly.

Shaun's very much Wigan through and through and knows the expectations put upon the team. He also has very close ties with the juniors at the club having been reserves coach for the past few years and to say he doesn't suffer fools gladly would be an understatement.
I and most other fans feel he's the perfect partner to assist McGuire in getting us to the top and keeping us there.

in the video interview with Maguire, he spoke of the many chats with Lenegan.

by giving Wane a real 'lead assistant coach' role, it seems that Ian Lenegan is really shooting for a NRL style coaching system with multi coaching layers.

if Wane is an indication of that, then i'd bet Wigan will soon have a rotation of specialist coaches too assisting the staff - wrestling, leadership, boxing, sprint, power lifting, etc.