Newly-appointed Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire has explained why now is the right time for him to ascend to a head coaching role.
McGuire has been handed a three-year deal at Wheldon Road with the former Leeds Rhinos man moving from assistant to head coach following the dismissal of Craig Lingard.
Lingard spent just one year at The Jungle and despite overseeing an improved performance in both league position and points, new owner Martin Jepson decided to swing the axe.
The sacking of Lingard came just days after Jepson increased his holdings in the club from 32% to almost 100% after he bought out the Fulton family.
Danny McGuire is the man who has been tasked to bring on-field success to the club as part of Jepson’s vision and it’s safe to say, very few people know more about winning.
During his illustrious playing career, McGuire won Super League eight times with a further two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges on his impressive honours list. The question now is if that can translate to coaching success.
Recently, we’ve seen Sam Burgess make a strong start to his coaching career and if his success at Warrington is anything to go by, Castleford Tigers could be in for an exciting three years.
McGuire has now spoken on why now is the time to take the top job, having previously only served as an assistant as well as a ten-game stint as the interim head coach at Hull KR.
Speaking in a video posted to the Tigers’ X profile, McGuire said: “I feel like I’m in a privileged position. Not many coaches get an opportunity to be in charge of such a historic and prestigious club, so I’m not taking that position for granted. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I got a taste last season of what the club is about. Obviously, we’ve seen the ambitions of the club now moving forward so I’m really happy and proud to be part of it.”
On why now, the 41-year-old said: “It’s always been my ambition. I’ve always said I’d like to be a head coach at some point. I wanted to earn my stripes. I wanted to do the time and be an assistant and do it the right way, which I feel like I have.
“This opportunity has come about and I feel like I’m ready. I feel like I’m ready to take it now. I feel like I’ve got the experience. I feel like I’ve learned a lot playing and under some really good coaches as well.
“I feel like I’ve got a good grip on where the club and where the team is at. I feel like I’m in a good position to move the team and the club forward.”
He also had explained to fans what they could expect from him and his coaching philosophies with plenty sure to wonder what a McGuire-led Cas team would look like.