Laurie Daley says the Wests Tigers' next coach needs to show some tough love.
The Tigers are in the market for a new mentor following the shock sacking on Monday of Jason Taylor after just three rounds.
Former Warriors and Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is the early favourite for the vacant post, with North Queensland assistant coach and former Tigers' under-20 premiership-winning coach Todd Payten also considered a chance.
The Tigers have sacked three coaches since last making the finals in 2011.
Daley believes Payten will make a good head coach but feels the Tigers need a veteran mentor.
"I think the Tigers need some tough love," Daley said on NRL 360. "I think they need an experienced coach to get in there and actually tell the players what they need to hear."'
Cleary certainly has those credentials. He took the Warriors to the finals in four of his six seasons there including a grand final appearance in 2011 and guided Penrith to a preliminary final.
'He obviously worked out a great formula for the Warriors," Daley said.
"A lot of coaches have been to the Warriors and it's been the end of their career, whereas Ivan has gone there and it's enhanced his career.
"He got them to a grand final, he's got them into positions to win competitions.
'Yes, they came up short, but for me he seems to have a good rapport with people, in terms of the playing group.
"(He's) very knowledgeable and he's able to extract the best out of his players and you see that from everywhere that he's been, he's had success."
Tigers premiership hero Benji Marshall, who is now with Brisbane, feels Cleary might be the the man for the job.
Marshall says the Tigers lack leadership and needed experience to lighten the load on highly-rated halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks.
"I think whoever they bring in, they need to bring in some leadership and direction for those guys, who can take a bit of pressure off them," Marshall said on Fox Sports.
"I think maybe a guy like Ivan Cleary or someone like that, who has been there and had a lot of experience can do a good job for them."
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