New Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys has given coach Tim Sheens his overwhelming support, but said he would not be afraid to give the under fire mentor the tap on the shoulder should the NRL club's onfield struggles continue.

Humphreys, who played 40 games for Balmain in the early 1980s and is the son of former NSW Rugby League chairman Kevin, began life in charge of the Tigers by backing Sheens to return the club to finals football.

Sheens was the man with the golden touch after leading the Tigers to their 2005 premiership success, but has come under increasing pressure from fans upset that the fairytale run of 2005 remains the joint venture's only finals appearance.

Humphreys acknowledged the delicate balancing act he faced in running a successful club and the practical requirements of a coach, a situation never more evident than with his Tigers predecessor Scott Longmuir who resigned the post in April.

It was claimed Longmuir attempted to hold Sheens to account for the side's performances by adding key performance indicators to the coaches position - with the relationship between the pair disintegrating as a result.

"There are lots of relationships that are important in this role but that's the key one for me - the relationship between a head coach and a CEO and then through to the board is critical," said Humphreys, whose business experience includes senior management roles at Qantas and British Airways.

"I'm very confident that Tim and I will enjoy a good working relationship. I'm not saying we'll agree on everything - I'm sure there'll be things we disagree on but we'll manage that in the right way."

Asked if that management included the possibility of showing Sheens the door if the wins didn't start coming, Humphreys said:

"Tim's been around this game for a long time and faced that issue on more than a couple of occasions.

"We'll manage those things as they come along.

"I can understand the frustrations that some fans have and how that can be expressed the way it has been in relation to Tim, but the reality is that Tim is probably the most credentialled coach in the NRL and we're very fortunate to have him.

"We need to understand the emotion but then think a bit rationally about it.

"The key is a win or two - we get a couple of wins and get on a roll, you'll see some different comments."

Humphreys indicated that Sheens and recruitment manager Warren McDonnell would continue to control the shape of the playing roster.

He said he first gave thought to getting involved with the Tigers six months ago, with Longmuir's departure presenting a timely opportunity.

Another factor was his desire to be closer to his father Kevin, who has suffered three major strokes and now resides in a Drummoyne nursing home.

Kevin Humphreys ended his association with rugby league following his resignation as NSWRL chairman in the wake of a Four Corners report which detailed corruption allegations involving the former NSW premier Neville Wran in 1983.

"That was a difficult time for dad in particular and the family but we moved on and he and we have retained our strong love of league and the Tigers," Stephen Humphreys said.

"I had a chat to him about it (the Tigers job) ... he said, `son, have a think about it and make your own call and whatever you want to do I'll support you."

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