Cameron Ciraldo REJECTS Tigers, with Panthers assistant coach ‘not in a position to accept’ job

The Wests Tigers’ quest for a new permanent coach has been dealt a crushing blow with Cameron Ciraldo rejecting the chance to take over the NRL strugglers.

The Tigers had hoped to name the highly-rated Penrith assistant coach as the replacement to Michael Maguire but their offer was not turned down.

In a statement released on Saturday, Wests said that Ciraldo had written to them directly to inform them that ‘he is not in a position to accept the role at this juncture in his career.’

Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo has turned down the Wests Tigers job

The club added: ‘Whilst disappointing, we respect his decision, and we will continue with the selection process in appointing our club’s head coach.’ 

Maguire was sacked earlier this month after Wests lost nine of their first 12 games this season and failed to make the finals in each of Maguire’s three campaigns in charge.

Former New South Wales halfback Brett Kimmorley was appointed as interim coach but has lost both of his first two games in charge, with the Tigers marooned in 14th place on the ladder.

Ciraldo met with Wests football chief Tim Sheen and chairman Lee Hagipantelis this month and Fox Sports reported he was given a tour of the club’s soon to be opened Centre of Excellence at Concord.

The NRL strugglers parted ways with under-fire coach Michael Maguire earlier in June

The Tigers are marooned in 14th place on the NRL ladder with a 3-11 record this season 

One of the most highly-thought-of assistant coaches in the NRL, Ciraldo appeared the perfect fit for the ‘development coach’ Sheen said the club needed.  

‘We are looking for a development coach,’ he said  after Maguire’s exit.

‘Someone who is prepared to give our youngsters and opportunity. He is going to need to be patient.

The Bulldogs are also interested in Ciraldo as they look to appoint a permanent coach in place of Mick Potter, who has been in charge on an interim basis since last month 

‘It is not going to be a simple fix tomorrow. […] We have got great pathways now. We are determined to make a fist of that. It will take a little bit of time, but I’m not saying it will be three years before we get a result.’

The Bulldogs remain in the race for Ciraldo, with Canterbury still looking for a replacement for Trent Barrett, who walked away from Belmore last month. 

The Warriors are also looking for a new permanent coach after parting ways with Nathan Brown earlier in June, but the Panthers assistant is understood not to be interested in the role.