Following Brad Fittler’s departure as New South Wales coach after six years at the helm, a vacancy has opened up for the Blues with a number of coaching candidates jostling for the position.
Ricky Stuart has already ruled out a return to the representative arena although his assistant coach at Canberra, Michael Maguire, could be the ideal man to takeover in 2024, according to Matty Johns.
State of Origin: Why Michael Maguire could be ideal next head coach for NSW Blues
Fittler’s exit sent shockwaves through the Blues’ hierarchy as the coach rejected a contract extension after months of uncertainty around his future.
In the weeks following the news, various coaches have been spoken about to take over in the hot seat, including Craig Bellamy, Laurie Daley and Paul McGregor. However, a number of coaches have already taken themselves out of contention.
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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 told SEN.
"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."
Maguire, the current coach of the New Zealand national side, has been biding his time ever since his torturous reign at the Wests Tigers came to an end last year.
The premiership-winning mentor has always maintained his desire is to be a full-time head coach in the NRL, yet that ship appears to have sailed with the NSW job suddenly becoming more appealing.
Maguire is famed for his defensive approach which would be purpose built for Origin, while his intensity would add a gritty edge to NSW which has been sorely lacking in recent years after two successive series losses.
Even though he hasn’t officially thrown his name into contention yet for the role with NSW as he instead focuses his attention on the upcoming Pacific Championships with the Kiwis, Johns believes he would be an ideal successor to Freddie.
MORE: Pacific Championships - Predicted team lists for Australia, Samoa and New Zealand
"I would have no problem appointing a coach who has a club affiliation because I think you need to be coach fit," Johns said.
"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."
The coach has been in charge of the Kiwis since 2018 and guided them to a World Cup semi-final last year where they were narrowly beaten by the Kangaroos.
Despite not being an NRL head coach currently, Johns revealed Maguire’s credentials and history within the role had put him in a strong position.
"The difference with Madge is even when he’s not coaching, he’s coaching," Johns said.
"He’s always working on his principles and how he wants to go about work and how he wants to put a side together.
"As soon as this NSW job came up, I’ve got no doubt Madge would have started to scribble some notes down just in case he got it."
There is a temptation to try and assemble a dream team on the coaching staff with Maguire, Stuart and Daley all involved.
However, Johns stated the Blues should instead adopt the approach the Maroons took when employing Billy Slater as their head coach with Maguire entrusted to follow his own vision.
MORE: QLD Maroons coach Billy Slater signs three-year contract extension
"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.
"They have a presence in the camp, but Billy is the one who is doing all of the video work. He’s the one that’s dealing with the players. He’s the one telling players they’re in or breaking the bad news. And he’s the bloke who is putting together the game plan.
"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."
