New Castleford Tigers boss Danny McGuire talks pressure, timing and coaching expectations
Every decision is dissected and there is no place to hide, especially for those with a higher profile than others.
Fortunately for Danny McGuire, who is at the start of his journey as a head coach at Castleford Tigers, pressure is all he has ever known.
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Hide Ad"I've been used to that since I was a kid," said the legendary former half-back, an eight-time Super League title winner with Leeds Rhinos.
"I like that pressure. You're in a privileged position to be able to be put under pressure.
"I feel privileged to have such a prestigious job; there are not many opportunities to be a Super League coach.
"I'll be fine with all that. It comes with the territory."
McGuire has been touted for jobs virtually ever since he hung up his boots at the end of 2019.
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The former Great Britain and England international openly stated he was not ready, even when Castleford approached him over the head coach position at the end of last year.
Fresh from being let go by Hull KR, McGuire did not want to dive straight into a challenging project at a club he had only ever known from the outside.
Twelve months on, the circumstances were different.
"Opportunities come around and you've got to make decisions based on whether it's the right time," said McGuire, who decided to initially join Castleford as an assistant after holding the same role at KR.


"Coaching can be really ruthless. If you're not ready and haven't done your due diligence, you're probably going to fail.
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Hide Ad"I've been here for a year now so I know the club and the expectations. I know where it wants to go and how I can help it get there.
"I feel like I've earned my stripes. I always wanted to do it the right way by learning and taking my time.
"I've worked under some really good coaches, both as a player and an assistant, and I felt like it was time to venture out on my own journey."


McGuire got a taste of the inner workings during his time at Hull KR.
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McGuire won half of his games in charge but more than that, he gained an appreciation of the demands.
"I knew when I took that on that I wasn't ready," he said.
"I'm still inexperienced now and am going to make mistakes. I'll be learning on the job. As players and coaches, you're continually learning and trying to improve.
"I know I won't be perfect but it won't stop me trying to get there and pushing the players to get there.
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"That taste at KR gave me an idea of what's expected. It's not just coaching, there are so many other things that you've got to be in control of.
"That can take your eye off what's important so I feel that experience will put me in a good position to attack the next few years."
A vocal leader with a sharp rugby brain, there was a sense that McGuire was always destined to be a head coach.
The 41-year-old had an open mind before realising it was the next best thing to being a player.
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Hide Ad"Once I finished playing, it wasn't something that was massively on the agenda," he said.
"When you're a playmaker and a half-back, you're always coaching the players around you without realising you're doing it. You're telling the players where they need to be, what you want and you're controlling the game. That game management is very much what a head coach does.
"It wasn't something I initially thought I'd get into but I love it. You can never replicate the feeling of playing and being part of a team but coaching is a really close second, getting the satisfaction of seeing players improve and get things right after working on them in practice.
"We've got a really young squad again this year and probably lack experience compared to other Super League clubs but that's exciting and gives you an opportunity to help the players grow and develop."
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Hide AdThere is a saying that great players do not make great coaches, in part because others cannot do what they once did.
There will be no such frustrations for McGuire.
"The way I see the game and want it to be played is fairly simple," said the former playmaker, who was the top tryscorer in Super League history before being eclipsed by Ryan Hall earlier this year. "I want players that want to compete and play for their team-mates.
"I don't think my demands are too challenging. I love a player who works hard and is committed.
"If my players are giving me that, I'll be satisfied. All the technical aspects are an ongoing process.
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Hide Ad"If your players are committed and want to win, you're halfway there. Everything else is coachable."
The reality of coaching is that to get a job, somebody else has to lose theirs.
McGuire was preparing for another season as an assistant when new Tigers owner Martin Jepson took the surprise decision to part company with Craig Lingard.
"I really enjoyed last season with Linners," said McGuire, who inherits a team that finished 10th in Super League.
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Hide Ad"He's one of the nicest guys I've met in the game. I really enjoyed working with him and Scott (Murrell) last year.
"It was challenging at times. We had some really good periods where things were going our way and then there were some tough periods as well. I learnt a lot last season.
"I wish Linners all the best in what he decides to do after. He's a champion fella and I'm sure he won't be out of a job for too long."
Throughout his season-long tenure, Lingard worked with a three-year plan in mind, the next stage of which was to finish between sixth and eighth.
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Hide AdMcGuire, though, is only focused on the start of pre-season on Monday.
"The people that are in charge rightly have plans but for me, it's about tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday and not wasting a day," he said.
"There's a reason behind everything we do to make sure pre-season is successful.
"I'm not thinking too far ahead and three years down the line. I feel like that's wasted energy.
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Hide Ad"The players have to do everything possible to get something out of the training days."
Part of McGuire's remit is to have a say in recruitment.
Overseas signings Zac Cini, Daejarn Asi and Judah Rimbu aside, Castleford have been quiet on that front.
More signing announcements are on the way but there will be no overhaul of a squad that was built for the future.
"We're happy with the recruitment we've done," said McGuire.
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Hide Ad"We've got some younger blood coming in and some experience.
"I'm just happy to work with the players I've got. I really enjoyed working with the players I worked with last season. They all wanted to improve and get better, and it's going to be the same again.
"If we do add players, they're going to have to come in and show me they're worthy of a place.
"Recruitment and trying to get better is ongoing but I'd rather concentrate on trying to improve the players we've already got. For me, that's what coaching is about."
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Hide AdIn his season as an assistant, the Leeds legend went some way to convincing the Wheldon Road faithful that his allegiances were now with Castleford.
To truly win over the fans, McGuire knows he must give them a team to be proud of.
"I live locally and am friends with a lot of Cas supporters," he said.
"I'm passionate, committed and want to see a successful Cas team. My characteristics are around wanting to win and being part of something successful.
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Hide Ad"The Cas supporters are loyal and passionate. My job is to make sure they see that on the field.
"My history is well known and I wouldn't change that but I'm living in the now and am fully committed to Cas."
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