Wigan are targeting their former player Trent Barrett to return to the club in a coaching capacity according to reports in today’s League Weekly.
They claim the 41-year-old is on the verge of signing a three-year deal with the reigning Super League champions from the start of next season.
There is still uncertainty around the future of Shaun Edwards, the club’s proposed new coach from 2020, who looks to have made a u-turn on taking charge at the DW Stadium.
Chairman Ian Lenagan appears to have finally lost patience with Edwards and will now turn to another ex-cherry and white fans’ favourite to ease the blow.
Barrett is a former Australia and New South Wales stand-off and played for the Warriors in 2007 and 2008.
He was the face of the club in those two seasons, helping to cement Wigan back among the elite after a turbulent few seasons on and off the pitch.
It’s unclear yet whether he would become head coach or be assistant to current boss Adrian Lam, who has had a difficult start to his tenure.
Barrett resigned as head coach of Manly at the end of 2018 after a season dominated by off-field controversy saw them finish second bottom of the NRL table.
Despite this, his potential appointment at Wigan would likely be greeted with warm approval from the fans after weeks of uncertainty.