McGregor won't turn sour despite criticism

News that he would step down saw rejoicing among sections of the red v faithful, who've long called for his sacking.

The 52-year-old admits the criticism, and constant speculation about his future, has weighed on his family, but he said the personal scrutiny comes with the territory.

"I'm fine, I'll go to Bunnings, build a bridge and get over myself pretty quickly," McGregor said.

"You understand that responsibility when you take the role. I don't listen to too much of the criticism. I know it's there because of family and they talk about it but it's a part of my job. People want to win and people show emotions when they're not getting what they want.

"There'll always be detractors out there but it's part of their job or their life. [Fans] are passionate, they're caring and there's a lot of good people out there that support the red and white.

"The emotional side of it for me is because I've been in the organisation for so long. When you're at a club for 25 years, as a player, staff member, coach, I've always felt those positions were a series of privileges and not obligations throughout my career.

"That's why it's a bit raw, but I've got nothing but great things to say about this club."

McGregor's record will show just two finals appearances and one win that brought them within a point of a preliminary final in 2018.

READ MORE: Selection panel frustration prompted McGregor departure

The 2019 season was beset with a crippling injury toll and the Jack de Belin saga that is still yet to see a resolution.

The club also lost Gareth Widdop when he sought a release from the final two years of his deal to shift to the UK, but McGregor accepted the ultimate responsibility for results rested with him.

"I, with others, built the team through '17 and '18 and we were building really strongly, we were pretty unbeatable through a lot of '18," he said.

"Unfortunately, through '19 and '20 and the last 18 months we haven't been able to put the same team on the park for different reasons. That's part of sport.

"We haven't met performance expectations over the past 18 months. I accept and take responsibility for the results and the fact of the matter is we haven't won enough games."