Wests Tigers veteran Benji Marshall believes Brisbane Broncos assistant coach Jason Demetriou is the next man to coach the club.
CEO Justin Pascoe has been heading back and fourth across the Tasman interviewing potential replacements for their current coach Ivan Cleary, but Marshall states the right man for the job is closer to home.
Marshall explains to the media he feels someone such as Demetriou can lead the club to success in the future.
“He’s one of the best coaches I have ever been under, technically and culture wise,” Marshall told The Daily Telegraph.
“Does the club take a leap on a not so high profile coach or a high profile coach?
“To me it doesn't really matter. What I do know is players come and go and coaches come and go and the one thing that always remains in the club and the fans.
“No matter who it is, the players will drive where it’s going.”
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire is also another high profiled coach who is in the frame being considered for the top job, along with the Broncos current coach Wayne Bennett.
Marshall says there is plenty to gain by employing Bennett at the club.
“I haven’t been coached by Madge [Maguire] but I have met with him a few times and he’s a great guy," Marshall said.
"I think Wayne would also be a good fit, his whole coaching style and the culture he brings, he’s got good people around him.”
Demetriou has been under the Bennett system for the last two years at the Broncos, and is also no stranger to solo coaching.
He previously had a stint as a player/coach for the Keighley Cougars in the English Super League before returning back to Australia to coach in the Queensland Cup.
Demetriou lead the Northern Pride to consecutive minor premierships along with the title in 2014, which he than made his way far north to be an assistant coach at the Cowboys in 2015, their maiden premiership year.
Opportunities in NSW allowed Demetriou to become the head coach of the NSW Cup team, the Illawarra Cutters, as well as being apart of the coaching staff at the Dragons in 2016.
Marshall will be entering his 17th pre-season come November when the team resumes training, but he already has one eye on his future post-footy.
The 33-year-old is already immersing himself in coaching at the development level, and says he wants to explore a more full-time role despite the stress being 'probably worse' than a NRL player.
“You have to have a bit of a screw loose apparently [to be an NRL coach],” Marshall said.
“The season just gone I did coaching on Mondays with Balmain and Fridays with Wests in SG Ball and Harold Matthews with their halves, hookers and fullbacks.
“I enjoyed that. I’m doing that again this year. Apart from playing footy there is no better feeling than teaching kids and watching them put it in practice and being stoked with what they are doing. It gives me a kick.
“There’s a chance I will do some coaching, whether that’s specialist or assistant I don’t know at the moment.”
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