Rugby league: Tigers come to terms with Michael Maguire on three-year, $2.5 million deal

Kiwis Coach Michael Maguire. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

In a dramatic day for rugby league, four NRL clubs — three from Sydney — have new coaches.

After months of speculation and rumour, Kiwis coach Michael Maguire is certain to coach Wests Tigers, Ivan Cleary will shift to Penrith, Wayne Bennett will join South Sydney and Anthony Seibold heads to Brisbane.

While the deal hasn't been formally ratified, Maguire could be named Wests Tigers coach as early as Friday before Cleary's anticipated move to Penrith.

Bennett's shock move to Souths for 2020 and 2021 was nailed down on Thursday evening. Seibold will be announced on Tuesday as coach of the Broncos.

There has never been a more tumultuous shift among coaches in rugby league's 110-year history — and comes on the back of Manly signing Des Hasler earlier this week.

Maguire is ready to sign a three-year deal at Concord, allowing Wests Tigers to release Cleary immediately from the final two years of his contract.

Wests Tigers had all but met Bennett's demands in their pursuit of the supercoach, but the Brisbane coach wanted to fulfil the final year of his Broncos contract.

Given Cleary wants to leave, Wests Tigers were left without a coach for next season, so the club quickly pounced on Maguire, who is on tour in England as coach of the New Zealand Test side. There was even a suggestion Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe flew to England in order to sign Maguire.

Both West Tigers' preferred coaching candidates will face off at international level when Bennett's England host Maguire's Kiwis in Hull on Sunday morning in the first of three Tests between the two sides.

Maguire is expected to start coaching Wests Tigers after returning from the tour in the middle of next month.

"The recent announcement of new coaches is being closely monitored by the Panthers," Panthers group CEO Brian Fletcher said.

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe was not returning calls on Thursday.

Cleary had already agreed to coach Penrith for 2021, 2022 and 2023. When he is finally released by Wests Tigers for seasons 2019 and 2020, Cleary's Tigers deal will span five years.

Maguire had been previously linked to Manly.

Seibold, who has another season to run at Souths, will join Brisbane from 2020, with Bennett heading to Redfern in the same year.

The Rabbitohs and Brisbane could still engage in a historic coaching swap for next year.

Seibold told South Sydney head of football Shane Richardson yesterday his preferred choice was to quit Redfern and join Brisbane.

At 5pm Thursday, Souths withdrew a contract extension offered to Seibold several months ago.

Seibold's rejection of Souths' contract extension has irritated some players and could cost him the dressing-room next season. Brisbane will complete their due process before formally announcing Seibold.

It is understood Souths won't sack Seibold next year even after he signs with Brisbane.

Bennett, under contract for one final season at Red Hill, has told friends the only way he would leave Brisbane early was if he was sacked. Brisbane won't punt Bennett for fear of a hefty payout.

Highly regarded South Sydney assistant coach David Furner was linked to the top job at Souths but he will honour his English deal with Leeds Rhinos.

Furner spoke with Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington and club director of rugby Kevin Sinfield to confirm his commitment.

Bennett already has supporters inside Souths through the Burgess brothers, whom he coaches in the England side.

Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson was not returning calls Thursday.