Shaun Wane: ‘The town of Wigan and the club will always remain special to me’
Shaun Wane says the Wigan club will always mean a lot to him following his shock resignation as coach of the Warriors.
Wigan have announced the resignation of Shaun Wane as head coach to take effect at the end of the 2018 season on Monday.
Wane made his first team debut in 1982 and played 150 games for Wigan and won the man-of-the-match award in Wigan’s World Club Challenge win over Manly in 1987.
After finishing his playing career, he was a scout for Wigan in 1998 and started his coaching career in 2000 with the Scholarship squad. He progressed to become head coach of the Academy and Reserve teams, before joining the first team coaching staff as assistant coach to Michael Maguire in 2010.
He has won the Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield, World Club Challenge and two Super League Grand Finals while head coach.
And Wane said he will always look back on his time at Wigan with fond memories.
He said: “Regrettably I have decided to announce my resignation as Head Coach of Wigan Warriors with the 2018 season being my last in charge.
“Throughout my playing and coaching career I have enjoyed unparalleled success in all areas.
“The town of Wigan and the Club will always remain special to me however I feel that now is the right time for me to seek a new challenge and direction in my professional career. As Head Coach, I have taken the Club to six major finals, winning three, given debuts to 37 players from the Wigan Academy and won a World Club Challenge, to name but a few.
“These accolades have given me both personal and professional satisfaction and the memories will remain with me evermore.
“During my career, I have made many special friends with players, past and present, coaching staff, office staff and management and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you all for the support that you have afforded me, without which the success may not have been so great.
“I would also like to publicly express my sincere thanks for the incredible support from my wife Lorraine and my daughters Bethan and Megan throughout my whole career, which at times has been incredibly difficult both on and off the field, especially the last two years.
“On a final point, I would like to thank all of the players, coaching and medical staff, the loyal Wigan fans, Club Chairman, Ian Lenagan, Club Director Kris Radlinski and Head of Performance, Mark Bitcon for helping me achieve a truly memorable and successful 30 years.
“I have one last task to complete and that is to bring home as much silverware as possible this season.”
Wane is Wigan’s longest-serving coach in the Super League era.