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The Tigers review has cited defence and recruitment as key areas they need to improve, which has put current coach Michael Maguire’s tenure in doubt beyond 2021.

But which of the potential candidates on the open market can help the club address those issues and end the longest finals drought in the NRL dating back to 2011?

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Read on for the nine leading candidates to replace Michael Maguire if the Tigers choose to part ways with their embattled coach.

CAMERON CIRALDO

The current Panthers assistant and defence coach is arguably the most highly rated up and coming coach in the business and is considered the next cab off the rank for inexperienced coaches looking for an opportunity.

The 36-year-old coached Penrith to three wins and three losses as interim coach the season Anthony Griffin was sacked in 2018, while he has also coached Italy to three wins and three losses.

The Tigers desperately need to fix their defence and judging by Ciraldo’s record at the Panthers over the last two seasons he would be a sound investment.

The Panthers have conceded 524 points in the past two seasons, averaging less than 12 points against per game for the best record in the NRL and while they have a better roster, clearly Ciraldo’s defensive strategy works.

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TIM SHEENS

The Wests Tigers’ only premiership winning coach is set to begin a new role with the club involving development and pathways when he arrives in October.

However given his experience and standing with the club it would be tempting to go back to the future if the club miss out on a few of their targets.

Sheens has won 390 of his 767 games as a head coach for the Panthers, Raiders, Cowboys, Tigers, Hull Kingston Rovers and Widness.

Sheens is a premiership winner and he knows what it takes to reach the last game of the season, while he also knows what makes the Tigers tick as an organisation, so going back to go forward might not as crazy as it sounds.

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SHANE FLANAGAN

The former Sharks premiership winning coach has made no secret of his desire to return to the head coaching ranks and he has been linked with the Tigers job already this season.

The 55-year-old won 108 of his 198 games at the helm of the Sharks including a drought-breaking premiership win in 2016.

Importantly Flanagan built his successful teams at Cronulla based on hard work, fitness and grit in defence, which are three areas the Tigers desperately need to improve in.

The Tigers have also identified recruitment and retention as an area of concern and Flanagan has the clout to help attract stars to the club.

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PAUL GREEN

The current Queensland coach has made no secret of his desire to return to the NRL coaching ranks when the right opportunity becomes available.

The 48-year-old coached the Cowboys to 96 wins from 181 games including two grand finals and one premiership in 2015, while he lost his maiden Origin series 2-1 in 2021.

Green has been linked with the potential Brisbane expansion team, but he will face staunch competition from master coach Wayne Bennett for the role if it comes to fruition.

Green’s Cowboys career fell away badly in his final three seasons at the club, but he is a tough task master and a proven winner, who also has the ability to attract stars to the club.

WAYNE BENNETT

The current Rabbitohs coach will finish up at the Redfern club at the end of the season and has consistently maintained he will return to Queensland.

Bennett is reportedly being chased as the Brisbane expansion team’s inaugural coach, but if the new club’s entry into the NRL is delayed, Bennett may reconsider his position in a bid to coach in 2022.

With nearly 600 wins from 969 games, Bennett is the most experienced candidate on the open market and he would solve both defensive and recruitment issues for the Tigers.

Bennett was being chased by the Tigers before he signed with the Rabbitohs in 2018 and he could be the circuit breaker the club desperately needs even if it is on a short-term deal.

KRISTIAN WOOLF

The current St Helens coach has won 27 of his 36 games in charge since taking the reins in 2020 and he also coached the Knights in 2019 in an interim role.

The 46-year-old has international coaching experience having led Tonga’s rise to prominence with nine wins, including victories over the Kangaroos and Kiwis.

Woolf would provide the Tigers with access to his contacts in the international game and Super League to help drive recruitment and retention.

However Woolf is not really tested in the NRL and replacing a premiership winner with an inexperienced coach at NRL level may not be the answer for the Tigers if they want instant results.

BRAD FITTLER

The current NSW Blues coach has been linked to a return to the NRL ranks already this season when Eels coach Brad Arthur was feeling the heat.

Fittler coached the Roosters to 25 wins from 60 games from 2007 to 2009, while he also coached at international level with Lebanon at the 2017 World Cup.

However Fittler has come a long way as a coach and has been a huge part of the Blues winning three of the last four Origin series since he took over in 2018.

Fittler would definitely help the Tigers attract players, but there are doubts if he can translate his success at Origin level to the grind of a full NRL season.

JOHN MORRIS

The former Sharks coach has signed on as Jason Demetriou’s assistant at the Rabbitohs next season after Wayne Bennett’s departure.

The 41-year-old coached Cronulla to 24 wins from 53 games and two finals series and was considered hard done by to be sacked earlier this season.

However the knock on Morris at the Sharks was that he didn’t win enough games against top eight teams and he didn’t help attract stars to the club.

Given those are two areas the Tigers desperately need to improve in, Morris may have to bide his time and rebuild his reputation at the Bunnies before getting another shot at a head coach role.

STEVE MCNAMARA

The current Catalans coach has taken his side eight points clear at the top of the Super League ladder this season.

The 49-year-old has coaches 98 wins from 189 games for Bradford and Catalans in the Super League and has also coached England to 15 wins from 24 matches from 2010 to 2015.

McNamara has worked under Trent Robinson at the Roosters so he knows what it takes to build a strong defensive unit.

McNamara would also give the Tigers access to his international connections which could be a huge asset in their recruitment of overseas talent.