NZ league confident Michael Maguire will stay

Kiwis coach Michael Maguire. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand Rugby League is confident Kiwis coach Michael Maguire won't leave - despite his impending appointment at the Wests Tigers.

Australian media reported on Thursday that Maguire has a handshake deal with the Sydney club, and is on the verge of signing a three-year deal. According to NRL.com, Maguire met Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe in Auckland last week.

The deal is contingent on Tigers coach Ivan Cleary moving to the Panthers but that seems to be a fait accompli, especially after Cleary's son Nathan signed a five-year extension with the Panthers.

Maguire headed the Tigers' shortlist, which also included Wayne Bennett. But Bennett has signed with the Rabbitohs from 2020, with South Sydney mentor Anthony Siebold likely to head to Queensland at the end of this year.

It's part of the NRL coaching merry-go-round, which has led to Maguire being back in the NRL fold, a year after he left the Rabbitohs.

It was always a danger with such a well credentialed coach but NZRL chief executive Greg Peters is adamant Maguire's potential new position won't affect his ability or desire to coach the Kiwis.

"We have indicated on a number of occasions, and when we appointed Michael, that he is absolutely committed to New Zealand," said Peters. "But if he pursues another NRL position or coaching position, we will support that as well. He wants to win a World Cup. We have no reason to doubt his commitment."

Peters said it was no surprise to him that Maguire, who agreed a four-year deal as Kiwis coach earlier this year, was close to returning to a club role.

"Obviously he wants to coach more than less, as all coaches do," said Peters. "That's what they do and who they are. And we support that, because we want the best coach possible coaching the Kiwis and we believe we have got that, so we need to be able to support him to continue in his role coaching New Zealand."

Maguire has been reluctant to comment on any speculation regarding his future, shutting down questions regarding club negotiations in the build-up to the Kangaroos-Kiwis clash two weeks ago, and also in the aftermath of that win.

Maguire was appointed last May, after a selection panel conducted interviews with him, Laurie Daley, Geoff Toovey and Des Hasler, though Hasler withdrew his application soon after the interview process concluded.

At the time of Maguire's appointment, former Kiwis captain Dean Bell, who headed the selection panel, didn't downplay the fact Maguire was a likely NRL coach in waiting.

"That might be the case but we just wanted to appoint the best candidate possible," said Bell.