New Zealand boss Michael Maguire more than made an impressive impact in his brief stint in Super League.
He took a Wigan side who hadn’t been crowned Champions for 12 years and were struggling to make it in the top four to the top of the league in 2010 as he lifted the first three trophies in two years winning every domestic title there is to win.
He backed that up with Grand Final success against St Helens at Old Trafford before delivering the Challenge Cup in 2011, Wigan’s first Wembley win since 1995.
After this, he left the club ready to kick on under now England boss Shaun Wane. Wane led Wigan to top spot in 2012 and the double in 2013 as he built on Maguire’s good work.
Maguire is now focused on guiding New Zealand to World Cup glory but is without a club for 2023.
This is after he parted company with Wests Tigers in the NRL.
A number of Australian clubs are said to be chasing him as a potential assistant coach including Canterbury Bulldogs who want a touch of experience in the backroom staff.
However, when asked at the Rugby League World Cup launch if he would consider a return to Super League, he seemed more than keen saying: “I would, for sure.”
However, he did say: “At the moment, I’ll do the Kiwi job first.”
So, the door is open for Maguire to return should a Super League club come knocking.
He has a great legacy in the league which was celebrated by the Warriors at an event recently which took Maguire by surprise: “There was a big curtain, I had no idea what was behind it. We were running late, as you do on the M62 or whatever it was.
“I came round and there was about 400 people sitting there. They did it really well. They’re great fans, I recognised all their faces.
“They also had a lot of the great players there: Paul Deacon, Liam Farrell, Sean O’Loughlin. A few there that I’ve been able to touch base with since I’ve been here. Been good to catch up with them.”
