Former St George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks head coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed interest in the vacant Wests Tigers assistant coaching role.
The Tigers took the unusual step of placing a job advertisement on LinkedIn to fill an assistant coaching role for 2027, claiming the role will report to the head coach.
The position has over 70 applicants at the time of publication, with the Tigers looking to revamp the joint-venture outfit after yet another horror season.
Speaking on Triple M Radio, Shane Flanagan, who was axed by the Dragons in the first half of 2025 as head coach after a dismal beginning to the campaign, confirmed he would be interested and is looking to return to coaching, albeit not in a head coaching role.
“I want to coach. I'm not worried about being a head coach, I've had my time there,” Flanagan said.
“Whether it's an assistant coach or whether it's in the admin side of things, I want to be involved, I love rugby league. I have done it my whole life.
“I don't want to go and start at this stage of my life in another industry. I want to continue in this. I think I've got something to add to a club.
“I won a competition, played semi-finals, been in Origin, assistant coach for Australia and all that sort of stuff. I have some runs on the board.
“As I said, I've got to work, and whatever club it is, I think I can add something.”
While there is no obvious pressure on Benji Marshall, it's hard to imagine the club's board is ready to put up with another missed finals campaign in 2027.
Marshall has now been head coach of the Tigers for three seasons, winning just 23 of 72 games.
Flanagan said he thought the under-pressure coach needed help, but said there was plenty that appealed to him about the Tigers.
“An enormous amount of young talent. Samuela Fainu, Bula at fullback, they have some class players right through the side. Young, a lot of youth,” Flanagan said.
“Even Api (Koroisau). He can be one of the best hookers in the game and has had moments where he has been.
“I just think, Benji is working really hard and trying hard, but maybe he is on his own and needs some help.
“I don't know Benji, haven't had anything to do with him.
“They do get criticised the Wests Tigers, a lot, but at least they are getting off their arse and doing something about it.
“We can joke about advertising on LinkedIn, but at least they are doing something. Good on them.”
