After becoming the head coach of the Wests Tigers in 2019 Michael Maguire was finally released from his duties at the club earlier this month.

An eventful three seasons saw him arguably become the most under-pressure coach in NRL history with the Tigers board and the media keeping a close eye on his situation for the past 18 months in particular.

Penrith Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo was at the top of the Tigers list of potential full-time replacements for Maguire but on Saturday the club put out an official statement confirming Ciraldo had rejected their offer.

“The club has been contacted by Cameron Ciraldo and his management this afternoon and they have advised the club that he is not in a position to accept the role of Head Coach at this juncture in his career,” read the statement.

“Whilst disappointing, we respect his decision, and we will continue with the selection process in appointing our club’s Head Coach.”

Noddy shares some exciting news on our Cubs program as the first grade boys help out with some role specific coaching 🐯 pic.twitter.com/Ss4SntiREA

— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) June 27, 2022

Other names such as former Cronulla Sutherland Sharks head coaches Shane Flanagan and John Morris have been mentioned as candidates for the role as has North Queensland Cowboys premiership-winning head coach Paul Green but it seems the Tigers may simply stick with what they already have as The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas is reporting that interim coach Brett Kimmorley is now the frontrunner to become the permanent coach of the Wests Tigers.

“Sources with knowledge of the situation told the Herald the club has been impressed by the way Kimmorley has gone about his job since the sacking of Michael Maguire, despite the run of losses continuing under his watch,” said Chammas.

If true then this decision is quite an ambitious and risky one by the Tigers as Kimmorley is yet to win a game as interim coach of the club and their draw is about to get a whole lot harder.

This weekend they face the New Zealand Warriors who return to Mt Smart Stadium for the first time since 2019 before taking on four current top eight sides, three of which are in the top four (Panthers, Cowboys and Broncos).