Wigan Warriors appoint Shaun Wane and Iestyn Harris

Wane was a World Club Challenge winner for Wigan against Manly in 1987

Wigan have confirmed assistant Shaun Wane to succeed Michael Maguire as their new coach on a two-year contract.

Iestyn Harris joins as his assistant following his departure from Crusaders, while, as expected, Paul Deacon has retired to join the coaching team.

Former Wigan forward Wane has long been linked as the replacement for Maguire, who is returning to Australia.

"I've been involved here for many years and to get the head job is a great opportunity," said Wane.

"Assistant coach is probably not what I'm good at," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "I like being in control.

"I'm looking forward to this chance I've got. I've been involved for 10 years here as a player and 12 as a coach and to get this job - which is the best job in the world - is great for me.

"Michael Maguire has put a structure in place, which is going to carry on, but I feel I can improve things.

"There's been games this year I don't think we should have lost and it's my job as head coach to make sure the lads are prepared and we win those games.""

Former Great Britain international Wane, who played for Wigan between 1981 and 1990, has been number two with the Challenge Cup winners since October 2009.

As assistant coach, he first took temporary charge in the summer of 2010 when Maguire returned down under on compassionate leave following the death of his father.

Harris, 35, chose to leave Crusaders following their decision to withdraw from Super League, first revealing in September that a move to Wigan was a possibility.

The former dual code international, who is also Wales coach, had spells at Warrington, Leeds and Bradford during his playing career.

Deacon, 32, who was part of the side that beat Leeds at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final, had already announced his intention to join the DW Stadium coaching staff when he signed his last playing contract.

But chairman Ian Lenagan insists that talk of former Wales rugby union international three-quarter Gareth Thomas signing for the club, first mooted at the weekend, is just the rumour mill at work.