Wigan coaching role would be a challenge for Shaun Edwards, reveals Shaun Wane
Shaun Wane has revealed that it would be a big challenge for Shaun Edwards to replace him as Wigan coach next season.
The Wigan club announced on Monday the resignation of Wane as head coach to take effect at the end of the season. He has been coach of the Warriors since 2012 and is Wigan’s fifth longest-serving coach of all time, but he will move onto pastures new this autumn.
Edwards has been one of Warren Gatland’s assistants with Wales Rugby Union since 2008 and is under contract until next year.
Wigan legend Edwards is currently favourite to take over the reins from Wane though, according to Super League sponsors Betfred and other rugby league betting sites.
But Wane revealed that the Wigan job would be a huge task for Edwards, given the fact that he was last involved with the 13-aside code back in 2000.
He said: “I think Shaun has said openly that he would come back as an assistant, not a head coach.
“The game is very different now, even from 2010 when I started with Mags (Michael Maguire at Wigan).
“It is a big ask for him. He’s a smart operator and has been a success wherever he has been, but this would be a challenge. It would be a new game at a big club where you don’t just have to win things, you have to win them in a certain way.”
Wane also revealed that he has got no plans for the future just yet and insisted that he has had no offers.
He added: “I have had a fantastic 30 years here at Wigan, won lots of things, but everything comes to an end and that’s the way it is.
“I just feel like the time is right for me and my family. I have only just resigned so there are absolutely no offers on the table. I’m working until October and hopefully we can get some success at the club and finish off on a high but nothing is in place yet. I have not signed a thing.”
Wane has won the Challenge Cup, League Leader’s Shield, World Club Challenge and two Super League Grand Finals while head coach of Wigan.
And he admitted that he would like to have a crack at the NRL but is open to anything.
He said: “I would love to go the NRL, but I am not sure whether they would accept an Englishman.
“I would love to have a go over there – I’m open to anything.”
Wane also didn’t rule out a return to the Warriors in the future.