Storm coach Craig Bellamy has responded to superstar playmaker Cameron Munster who said he would remain at the club as long as the legendary boss was still there.

It comes on the back of Bellamy giving his champion five-eighth permission to negotiate with the Chiefs who recently added Zac Lomax to their impressive roster for when they enter the NRL competition in 2028.

Munster was meant to travel to PNG along with Lomax last weekend, but he felt it wasn’t the right time given his current injury as well as Melbourne’s struggles that will likely mean they will miss the finals for the first time since 2010.

The Storm veteran turns 32 in a few weeks and has Bellamy’s blessing to finish his career wherever he wants to ensure his family is in the best position when he retires.

And while the Chiefs would ensure that, Munster says there’s a much bigger factor that will decide his next contract.

“Craig has been the only NRL coach that I’ve had,” he said at a Sapporo event in Brisbane.

“I don’t want to say too much about it, but I’m not sure what his coaching future looks like. If he stays, I’ll stay, so there’s a bit of pressure on your back, ‘Bellyache’ (Bellamy).

“I’ve got to make sure it’s right for me and my family. If he’s not sure what he wants to do, sometimes you’ve got to make decisions for your family and you can’t wait for someone else when you’re making decisions for your family.

“I love Craig and I love the Melbourne Storm. I’m not saying I’m not going to stay, but November 1 comes around and I’ve got to make sure I do the right thing for me and my family.

“I’ve taken pay cuts a fair bit in my career. I’m not saying I won’t take one again, but I’ve got to make sure my family’s in a great position long term.

“Footy’s not everything, and it’s not always a long-term prospect. I’ve got to work after footy, so I want to make sure I’m financially stable for myself and my kids.”

Bellamy’s future is also clouded after the Storm coach was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder earlier in the year, with the legendary boss providing an update on when he might retire.

“The next year or two is when I’ll be finishing up, so he’ll (Munster) end up older than me if I stop counting my age,” he said.

“I’d love to go through my entire coaching career with him ending at the same time, but he’s got a decision to make.

“He’ll make the right decision for what’s right for his family, and he’s got the right do to that.”

Meanwhile, Bellamy is relying on Trent Toelau and rookie Hayden Watson to pick up the slack with superstar skipper Harry Grant unavailable for the next few weeks as he deals with a hamstring injury.

“Any team losing their captain, that’s a big loss,” Bellamy said ahead of Friday’s must-win clash with the Bulldogs.

“But Harry especially is always in the middle of the play, whether it’s with the ball or without the ball.

“He’ll be a loss for us, but when someone misses out, someone else gets a chance. We’ll deal with that tomorrow night, and hopefully some of the young blokes can do a good job for us.”

Originally published as ‘The next year or two’: Craig Bellamy drops major coaching hint as Cameron Munster responds to PNG rumours