NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler is leaving "every door ajar" as Canterbury continues their search to replace Trent Barrett for next season.
The Bulldogs, who are currently under the helm of interim coach Mick Potter following Barrett's departure last month, have been linked with several compelling candidates as they continue their search for a new man to be sat in their hot seat.
Highly-rated Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo continues to be seen as the most enticing man in the Bulldogs' sights, however the former Italian representative has seemingly turned his back on any advances from the Belmore club.
Shane Flanagan,ย Paul Green andย Kristian Woolf have also been linked to the Canterbury job, while Fittler's name has arisen in conversations in the past week.
Fittler is currently contracted to his duties with New South Wales for next year in what will be his sixth campaign leading the Blues, with 2022's series a chance for the former Roosters boss to claim his fourth shield as a coach.
The role is one Fittler dreamed of holding growing up, as well as playing a part in calling the game he loves.
But despite his current contentment, Fittler isn't putting a line through his chances of returning to the NRL coaching landscape in the future.
โI will never, ever rule out anything,โ Fittler told The Sydney Morningย Herald.
โBut right now, had you asked me as a kid to picture what my two best jobs would be, one would be commentating on rugby league, and the other would be coaching Origin. Iโm now doing both those jobs.
โThere will be nothing done while Iโm doing these two jobs.
โ...I leave every door ajar.โ
Any decision by Fittler is anticipated to be made after Game three of this year's Origin series, which begins on Wednesday at Accor Stadium.
The series will come to a conclusion in Queensland on July 13, still leaving the Bulldogs with plenty of time before needing to bring in their next senior coach.
By then, further NRL coaching opportunities may open, with pressure continuing to mount on the shoulders of Michael Maguire at the Wests Tigers.
The 14h-placed venture club are set to hold off on any major call on Maguire's future for the coming days as they also assess the available names on offer in the open coaching market, according toย The Herald.
Ciraldo has emerged as a potential candidate for the Concord club should Maguire and the Tigers part ways after four seasons.
