The Wests Tigers are set to part ways with head coach Tim Sheens after a disastrous season in which the club is destined to claim its second straight wooden spoon.
Sheens was appointed for the 2023 and 2024 seasons as part of a five-year plan in which Benji Marshall would transition as the head coach until 2027.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas has revealed that key stakeholders in the club were concerned with the direction of the club.
“The club has decided that he won’t be the head coach going forward,” Chammas said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“He was meant to be the head coach for two years but there have been concerns raised to the club by player agents and people within the game about Tim Sheens’ involvement.
“I’ve been told that Sheens’ management has gone to the club in the last few days and that they and Tim Sheens are comfortable with the position of the club.
“A sticking point is that Tim Sheens expected to go back into that general manager role that he had before taking over as head coach.
“The Tigers don’t have an appetite for that to happen. They just want to move on.
“If Tim Sheens wants to stay on at the club, it will be in an ambassador or mentoring role.
“They don’t want to cut ties completely.
“It’s the end of Tim Sheens’ tenure.”
Marshall will take over the team and become head coach one year earlier than expected.
“The club has admitted that they have got it wrong and will let Benji take complete control,” Chammas added.
“The plan was to give Tim Sheens 12 more months but Benji has been running the show for a while.
“It’s been an 80-20 split and having one sole voice and direction will help the players moving forward.”
The Wests Tigers host the Dolphins at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.