Getting Royce out is a start and is the only option now if any pride is to be salvaged from this season, but the problems at the club go deeper and higher.
McManus has done a fantastic job in keeping the club afloat financially and getting the new stadium built. BUT, he's also overseen the complete destruction of the coaching, player development and squad development side of things. People go on about our fabulous youth system and how wonderful it is. But since Jammer how many genuinely good players have we produced? Eastmond is the most talented and he's already a distant memory. Lomax is a possibility if he finds a settled position, but none of the others are up to it. We've not produced a single decent forward since Jammer.
The choice of coach has been a massive problem for the club as well. The last two appointments have seen uncharismatic coaches with no motivational qualities or tactical ability. They are both assistant coaches who would not get head coach roles in the NRL. But despite the glaring failings both coaches have/had, I actually feel sorry for them. What can any coach do with that playing squad? I've been banging on about it on here for years now, I've been mocked and derided for it, but you are all seeing the fruition of the poor recruitment and retention decisions and you can now see I was right. There is a lot of hysteria on here about sacking Royce (Which I'm all for, as hopefully it can inspire the players and turn the club in the right direction from a morale perspective) but the cracks have been showing for years, they've just been covered by the likes of James Graham and James Roby.
We have about the 8th or 9th best squad in Super League currently. We are about to sack/not renew the contract of another poor coach. Our recruitment is pathetic and has been for years.
McManus is regarded as a legend and the saviour of the club by many, but he's got as much wrong in his time at Saints and there will be no trophies won at the new stadium for a good few years.