Opinion
Wests Tigers’ next big call: Is Robbie Farah ready to become the general manager?
Michael Chammas
Sports reporterA call on whether to parachute Robbie Farah into the general manager role looms as the next big decision for the Wests Tigers following the move to part ways with coach Tim Sheens.
The revelation on Wednesday that the club has decided to end Sheens’ tenure as head coach and opt out of an option for Sheens to return to the general manager role has opened the door for Farah to take his place.
Robbie Farah and the mural dedicated to him at the Sackville Hotel in Rozelle.Credit: Maria Louise Boyadgis
As reported by this masthead last month, Farah has indicated to club officials that he wants to be considered for the position if it was to become available.
Farah did not respond to calls on Wednesday but has previously said his preference is to divert his focus from coaching to administration.
“Robbie is contracted still as an assistant coach so those decisions will be made down the track,” chief executive Justin Pascoe told this masthead on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’ve had a conversation, albeit brief with Robbie. Robbie has demonstrated a level of interest in broadening his skill set and working towards a general manager role. If that was the case, that’s a discussion we can have post end of this season.”
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens (right) with Marshall and Farah at training.Credit: James Brickwood
On the surface it would seem ambitious to catapult a recently retired player into such an integral role, but there are very few players who have the street smarts and nous that Farah possesses.
He has also shown he has the business acumen, having set up the Two4Seven sports and touring business alongside close friend Jai Ayoub.
The criticism of the Wests Tigers in recent years has been the hesitation in negotiations and an inability to get big deals across the line. There aren’t many more determined or stubborn operators in the business than Farah.
The Tigers are planning to go to market and find out who would be interested in taking on a role that is largely considered the most difficult assignment in the NRL.
Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall celebrate the 2005 grand final triumph with teammates.Credit: Getty
One option that has been floated is bringing back Farah’s former teammate Mark O’Neill, who is now in charge of football operations at the Parramatta Eels.
Most sporting organisations will tell you that the head coach shouldn’t have a say in who the general manager should be.
However what has become abundantly clear throughout a decorated career, and even more so in a short period as an assistant coach, is Marshall operates on trust.
The Wests Tigers is his patch and new recruitment manager Scott Fulton recently found out that outsiders who come in will meet resistance. When Marshall wanted Aidan Sezer and Fulton Jack Cogger to replace the leaving halfback Luke Brooks, Marshall won out.
In Farah, Marshall has a trusted ally. They are two strong personalities who often butt heads, but have the mutual respect to air their grievances and move on.
Marshall is guarded with his inner sanctum. Very few penetrate the walls he puts up. He is a rookie coach still learning his trade, but believes in his own ability.
He also thinks similarly to Farah. The pair is in sync with their views on how rugby league should be played.
They shared the same opinion when it came to not pursuing Josh Schuster despite strong recommendation from Fulton to lure him away from Manly.
The Tigers will sit down and interview Farah. There are concerns that he doesn’t have the experience required to take on the job immediately and perhaps would benefit from being someone else’s understudy while he learns on the run.
It’s the same approach the Tigers took with Sheens and Marshall. History may be repeating itself.
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