The five-year coaching plan at Wests Tigers will remain as per program, despite growing concerns around the club's direction following a horror loss in Round 18.
In one of the worst performances in recent history, North Queensland piled on 74 points against the Tigers on Saturday night, adding plenty of pressure onto the struggling club.
With less than 10 rounds remaining in the regular season and the Tigers stuck at the bottom of the NRL ladder, Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall have both come under the microscope from a coaching perspective.
The initial decision to appoint Sheens for two seasons and groom Marshall into a head coach for 2025 sounded promising on paper, but the results have been far from positive this season at Concord.
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And despite having one more year to run as an assistant coach, The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Marshall could be thrust into the top job earlier than anticipated due to the on-field efforts under Sheens.
Sheens had not coached in the NRL for over a decade prior to his appointment last year, and while the club have recruited well by adding the likes of Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali'i, it has yet to translate to consistent wins.
Wests Tigers chairman shuts down Benji Marshall reports
Speaking on SEN Radio, Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis denied the reports regarding the coaching position, claiming nothing has changed within the four walls at the club.
“We remain absolutely committed to the path that we are on,” he said.
“Benji will be parachuted into the head coaching role, but in 2025… Tim will be the head coach in 2023 and 2024. Benji fulfils the role as assistant coach and that will continue.
“It’s not unexpected that as Benji progresses and continues to learn his craft, he will assume a more senior posture. We’ve seen that already and he has exceeded our expectations at this point.
"He will continue to progress through his apprenticeship and then he will take over the head coaching role. We couldn’t expect it to be some magical transition on the 1st of November 2024 – this is all with the blessing of Tim.
"He’s providing the club with invaluable assistance by taking over the club for two years and bringing Benji along for 2025.
The other dilemma facing the Tigers is the recent acquisition of Scott Fulton as head of recruitment, with Marshall reportedly unhappy with the decision by the club.
Luke Brooks' decision to leave the Tigers at the end of this year has only caused further headaches, leaving the side without a marquee playmaker for 2024.
When will Benji Marshall coach the Tigers?
At this stage, Marshall will take over the top job in 2025, with Sheens signed on until the end of next year.
