Michael Maguire will have a chance to put himself up there with South Sydney’s greatest coaches after signing a new deal with the NRL club to keep him at the Rabbitohs until the end of 2019.
By the time his new deal is finished, he will have coached Souths for eight years, equal with Jack Rayner, who won five premierships.
They’re behind only the great Clive Churchill, who coached for 10 years and won four titles, and Charlie Lynch, who coached the Rabbitohs for 11 years in the 1920s and ’30s, winning four titles.
Maguire broke the club’s premiership drought in 2014 and made the finals again the following year.
But despite beginning the year bringing back Sam Burgess from rugby union, the Rabbitohs never really managed to get things together on the field in 2016.
A raft of injuries, poor form from key players and rumours that NSW State of Origin halfback Adam Reynolds wanted out of the club plagued the red and greens’ campaign, and they finished a disappointing 12th.
However, chief executive Shane Richardson says Maguire is the man to turn that around.
“Our club has been working hard to sign our elite player group for the long term to create stability and Michael’s signing gives us a great leader to lead this group of young men to the top,” Richardson said.
“He’s a fantastic manager of people, has a sharp football brain, is a great family man and we know he is the best coach to take South Sydney forward.”
Maguire says the club has become his second home.
“Everyone at this club knows what it takes to be successful, everyone knows the hard work that’s in front of them and everyone is hungry to achieve success, and that’s something we’ve built up over the past five years,” he said.
“We all want to return to the top end of the ladder and we’re dedicated to achieving that this season (2017) and into the future.”
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Injuries mate, they can kill any teams chances PLUS if you look at the Roster in experience terms, we have one of the youngest and least experienced teams in the comp... Only Newcastle is less experienced than us! In 2015 Souths were in 4th position on the ladder until the last Month. After Round 24 Souths were 4th, then faded. 2015 didn't finish well but we weren't as bad as you make us out to be, We had players fronting up that should have been in the rehab room. 2016 was a disaster at the beginning and got worse with... You guessed it, INJURIES. The first time Souths got the same 17 to play 2 weeks in a row was in Rd 23 and 24. The Cowboys had the same 17 for the first 8 weeks. When we FINALLY did get our best team on the park we won 4 in a row and we beat the eventual Premiers. PLUS we were ripped off against the eventual Runners UP. a game we should have won.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
That first sentence? Michael Maguire will have a chance to put himself up there with South Sydney’s greatest coaches HE already is up there, you blokes have short memories. In 2014 he broke a 43-year premiership drought to record Souths 21stPremiership. He has a Comp, 9s and World Club Champion. That puts him up there alright!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Didn't realise Richo was back in the top job again ! I can only think this extension is to augment the raft of key re signings and ensure continuity through the off season. Probably would have preferred waiting to extend or not Madge halfway through next season. The Bunnies have been generally poor the last 2 seasons. It's a strong show of faith by the Club.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Haven't done much in the last two! And “Everyone at this club knows what it takes to be successful' who and where are they? But it looks good for 2017 so let’s hope Madge is right.