Brad Fittler insists Laurie Daley’s sacking as NSW coach was such a shock that he’ll wait for the dust to settle before potentially starting discussions about taking over the job.
Fittler is viewed as one of the leading candidates for the role after the NSWRL board last Friday decided not to renew Daley’s contract after four State of Origin series losses in five years.
Up until last week, Daley was tipped to be offered a one-year contract extension and it’s understood he had the backing of several key decision-makers including NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden.
However following a review of the 2017 series they lost 2-1 after winning the first game convincingly, Daley was let go and Fittler said the call surprised everyone around the game.
“It’s pure paper speculation,” Fittler said of suggestions he was a shoo-in for the position.
“It was a shock to the board. Everyone just thought Laurie Daley was going to get another year.
“I haven’t spoken to Loz but obviously he’s been bombarded and the key here is to let it settle.”
It’s been reported the NSWRL will seek to install Fittler as head coach with Phil Gould and Andrew Johns in advisory or assistant positions.
Fittler said he was happy with his media and commentating roles and working in the NSW pathways program.
Asked if he wanted the job, Fittler told NRL.com: “At the moment, I love what I’m doing. It’s pretty much as simple as that.
“I love the commentary, I love working with the kids. Some really good things are coming out of that, some kids like Campbell Graham and Nick Cotric, who have all been a part of the pathways, Cam Murray, are all starting to play first-grade at 18 or 19-years-old.”
He said there was a lot of water to pass under the bridge before he would accept the role.
“For me to be interested there’s got to be a lot of discussions with a lot of different people,” Fittler said.
“When you start bringing it all together, it’s not as easy as going ‘yes’ and ‘yes’ and ‘yes’. At the moment I’m just relaxing and loving what I’m doing.”
Matt
Guest
Fittler and Johns the ones to improve the off-field player culture amongst the Blues?! They're not exactly role models are they?
Scott
Guest
Ed Kennett is a Roosters fan and now moved to Sunshine Coast to fish, he is also one of the best racing judges I know. Had to laugh at his Facebook post today: Ed Kennett August 28 at 8:52pm • As I left the boat ramp this morning to fish the Maroochy River I saw a man floating face down in the water. I stopped the boat grabbed him by the clothes and drag him in and commenced CPR. After about a minute he came around. I asked him what had happened and he said he was fine he was just launching his boat and then he heard on the radio that Brad Fittler was about to be possibly appointed the coach of the New South Wales Blues ... after which he said he just started laughing so much he fell into the water and commenced inhaling. Up here in Queensland they are laughing at New South Wales like you wouldn't believe ... they love it .. I have to agree. And then the NSW media suggest Joey Johns ... nothing more needs to be said on that surely. Joey struggles to keep himself out of trouble.
realist
Guest
Fitler as coach????????? I see another 5 years of 3 - 0 drubbings!!!
Gaz
Roar Rookie
Queensland are hoping. Yes please.
Gus Paella
Guest
As long as Joey is nowhere near the selection table. He wanted Dugan at 5/8 for NSW a few years ago. And Fittler himself wanted Dugan at fullback over Tedesco for game 1 this year and Farah at hooker. Madness
Marshall
Guest
Fittler's coy on most things because he lacks the intelligence to properly put his position across in a way that suggests he has one.
Nat
Roar Guru
If they are going to bring Freddie through then they must throw the bank at Gould to back him up. Gould understands that his reputation is on the line to inherit this NSW team and I guess Fitler, after witnessing what has happened to Daley, now appreciates how soul crushing and possibly career ending that job can be. NSW have the players with the talent and integrity to take it to Qld and win but their current backline of 'superstars' care little for the team. While I usually take what Matthew Johns says with a grain of salt, it's not a bad suggestion to start with the players who would do it for free.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
In the opinion of some they are a couple of drunks. I prefer to think of them as bottle collectors.
Paulus
Guest
They always seem to have an opinion on what needs to be done to win again why not? Give em shot....
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Fittler and Andrew Johns known party boys and boozers, as if they will change the booze and losing culture of the NSW team. Something is rotten in the NSWRL organisation if the players were not listening to Stirling and Daley, two deadset NSW legends. I suspect that behind the scenes much of the NSWRL is stuck in a boozy 1980's mentality of team bonding and mateship judging by the poor way they handled the sacking of Daley, very unprofessional for a multi-million dollar sport.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Anything is better than what was there before, the NSWRL is putting all of its eggs into one basket with the 'install of Fittler as head coach, Phil Gould and Andrew Johns in advisory or assistant positions'!!! And I wonder if Gould or Joey will take the daunting challenge on??? Because, if they fail 'AGAIN' then the NSWRL should give this RL caper up and put the 'white flag up' and give this SOO caper up 'FOR GOOD'!!! Fair dinkum, its becoming a processional 'JOKE' and the NSW supporters 'are not laughing' lol