Phil Gould and Laurie Daley have both publicly backed Andrew Johns for the Blues’ head coaching job, with Gould urging Johns to put his hand up.
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Daley is expected to stand down as Blues coach following a two-year stint at the helm, culminating in a famous decider win at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago.
It’ll leave the position vacant, with no clear replacement evident at this early stage.
However, former Blues coach Gould says it is a role Johns would thrive in, believing the rugby league legend may “regret” not taking on the challenge.
“Andrew Johns would make a really good fist of it. You’d need a good support staff to do some of the other mechanics of the game and managing a camp but as far as passion and getting his team up for three games a year, I’m sure he’d do a very good job,” Gould said on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“I have no doubt he could do it. Yeah, he could do it. His greatest strength would be the strategy of it.
“He probably should do it because he’s going to get to some stage in his life where he’s going to wish he did.
“Could he do it, yes he could. Should he do it, well he probably should because he’s going to get to 60-70 years of age and probably regret that he didn’t, so why not live your life and go and do it.
“He would galvanise all the eras of Origin. He’s one of the greatest NSW have ever produced. You know he’s got a passion for it and loves it so much, maybe it’s an itch he has to scratch.
“He’ll get to a point where he can’t do it in 20 years time and he’ll regret (it). Do it, why not.”
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While Daley has confidence that one of his assistant coaches in Matt King, Boyd Cordner or Brett White could fill the role if called upon, he also believes Johns has what it takes.
Speaking on Brad Fittler and Johns’ Freddy and the Eighth show, Daley said he’ll reveal what his future holds in the coming weeks.
“I think I just wanna let it all settle in and settle down and let the players enjoy what they’ve been able to achieve,” Daley said.
“A decision will come in the coming weeks, but I’m certainly happy with the decision I’ve made and what happens next.”
Johns has been loosely linked to the Blues job alongside his brother Matt, but Johns has so far shut down any speculation.
“I haven’t got the personality to do it and I’ve got no experience,” Johns said.
Daley disagreed though.
The Blues legend and two-time series winning NSW coach has faith that Johns would have success if he ever held the top job, with Daley pointing to Johns’ passion of the game and the jersey.
“The one thing I love about Joey is he’s passionate,” Daley said.
“Even throughout the series we would speak and he’d send me clips and when you’ve got someone like Andrew Johns showing you stuff, you take it on board.
“You’d be able to do it easily if you had the right people around you.
“I think there’s a lot of people out there who could do it, but a lot of people don’t understand the scrutiny that comes with a position like that.”
Laurie Daley speaks to Andrew Johns ahead of game two of the Men’s State of Origin series.Source: Getty Images