The NSW Blues need to replace Michael Maguire as coach. Who are the candidates?

Now that Michael Maguire has shifted his focus from beating Queensland to living there, the NSWRL is looking for a new coach.

The first step in the process begins at a board meeting on Friday when directors put together criteria and a shortlist of candidates. The first decision will be whether to consider head NRL coaches, a call that could dictate whether an approach is made to Ivan Cleary.

The job should be Cleary’s if he wants it. He has overseen four straight premierships, already resides close to NSW’s base in the Blue Mountains and coaches several established Blues players at Penrith, including son and halfback Nathan. However, his sole focus is expected to be on extending a Panthers streak unprecedented in the salary-cap era.

If Cleary is unavailable, there isn’t a standout option. Laurie Daley has done the job in the past, overseeing one series win in five attempts at the height of the Maroons’ storied run. However, a potential stumbling block to a return is his role with Sky Sports radio, where he is a host for the TAB-owned Big Sports Breakfast.

Daley had previously been sounded out about consultancy coaching gigs at several NRL clubs, including Wests Tigers, but the NRL ruled would need to give up the radio role due to a potential conflict of interest.

Whether Daley would be prepared to make that sacrifice, for what the NSWRL now deems a part-time role with a commensurate salary, remains to be seen.

Here is a list of contenders to replace Maguire:

Ivan Cleary: The best-credentialled option after overseeing a fourth-straight Penrith premiership, but is expected to focus solely on further extending that streak next year.