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England coach Steve McNamara has been linked to a job with Sydney Roosters next season.
McNamara, who oversaw a new era of professionalism in England's preparation for the World Cup, is also believed to be considering an offer to join the coaching staff of Bath rugby union club.
However, Fairfax Media has been told that the Roosters are another genuine option for McNamara and he has previously expressed a desire to work in Australia.
After losing Paul Green to North Queensland, the Roosters have appointed Adam Hartigan as a part time under 20s coach and are looking for someone to oversee the NYC team and work with Jason Taylor and Craig Fitzgibbon as an assistant to Trent Robinson.
McNamara, who enjoys a close relationship with former Roosters mentor Brian Smith, was under consideration at one stage to coach Parramatta next season.
During his three year tenure with England, McNamara organised regular camps for the players at Loughborough University, an altitude training camp in South Africa and was involved in the establishment of an annual Origin type fixture against The Exiles.
He also regularly travelled to Australia to meet the growing number of English players in the NRL and has developed relationships with journalists in Australia.
However, his relationship with the British media soured during the World Cup when he refused to discuss disciplinary issues within the team which led to Gareth Hock being sacked, James Graham stood down for a match and Zac Hardaker leaving the camp.
Graham, Sam Burgess and England captain Kevin Sinfield were all vocal in their support for McNamara after last Saturday's heartbreaking 20-18 final minute loss to New Zealand in the semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
Sinfield this week broke his silence on the disciplinary issues to praise McNamara in a column in the UK Daily Telegraph newspaper and revealed the coach had tried to protect the players from the media.
"He has done a wonderful job," Sinfield said. "He has had to deal with issues over the last few weeks that are unacceptable at elite level sport and he has taken a lot of flak on his shoulders to protect certain people.
"He has dealt with things strongly and that has laid a great platform for years to come, because if he hadn't been as strong it would have sent out the wrong message, not only to our squad, but the England Knights and the Under-18s. We are striving to be No.1 in the world and if we are going to bridge that gap we have to make sure that the off-field stuff is done just as well as the on-field stuff," said Sinfield.
"I am sure Steve has got a number of career options now but I hope he stays on as England coach. A lot of people have opinions from outside and question certain things and I get all that, especially some of the selection stuff, but when you are inside and know what is happening you realise what a great job he has done. Everybody inside has 100 per cent respect for him."
McNamara has said he would like to remain as England coach and told Fairfax Media by text message he was "not sure at all about my future" and had "lots to consider", but did not respond to specific questions about the Roosters.
McNamara, who oversaw a new era of professionalism in England's preparation for the World Cup, is also believed to be considering an offer to join the coaching staff of Bath rugby union club.
However, Fairfax Media has been told that the Roosters are another genuine option for McNamara and he has previously expressed a desire to work in Australia.
After losing Paul Green to North Queensland, the Roosters have appointed Adam Hartigan as a part time under 20s coach and are looking for someone to oversee the NYC team and work with Jason Taylor and Craig Fitzgibbon as an assistant to Trent Robinson.
McNamara, who enjoys a close relationship with former Roosters mentor Brian Smith, was under consideration at one stage to coach Parramatta next season.
During his three year tenure with England, McNamara organised regular camps for the players at Loughborough University, an altitude training camp in South Africa and was involved in the establishment of an annual Origin type fixture against The Exiles.
He also regularly travelled to Australia to meet the growing number of English players in the NRL and has developed relationships with journalists in Australia.
However, his relationship with the British media soured during the World Cup when he refused to discuss disciplinary issues within the team which led to Gareth Hock being sacked, James Graham stood down for a match and Zac Hardaker leaving the camp.
Graham, Sam Burgess and England captain Kevin Sinfield were all vocal in their support for McNamara after last Saturday's heartbreaking 20-18 final minute loss to New Zealand in the semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
Sinfield this week broke his silence on the disciplinary issues to praise McNamara in a column in the UK Daily Telegraph newspaper and revealed the coach had tried to protect the players from the media.
"He has done a wonderful job," Sinfield said. "He has had to deal with issues over the last few weeks that are unacceptable at elite level sport and he has taken a lot of flak on his shoulders to protect certain people.
"He has dealt with things strongly and that has laid a great platform for years to come, because if he hadn't been as strong it would have sent out the wrong message, not only to our squad, but the England Knights and the Under-18s. We are striving to be No.1 in the world and if we are going to bridge that gap we have to make sure that the off-field stuff is done just as well as the on-field stuff," said Sinfield.
"I am sure Steve has got a number of career options now but I hope he stays on as England coach. A lot of people have opinions from outside and question certain things and I get all that, especially some of the selection stuff, but when you are inside and know what is happening you realise what a great job he has done. Everybody inside has 100 per cent respect for him."
McNamara has said he would like to remain as England coach and told Fairfax Media by text message he was "not sure at all about my future" and had "lots to consider", but did not respond to specific questions about the Roosters.
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