Jamie Jones-Buchanan keen on Leeds job as 12 candidates reviewed

Jamie Jones-Buchanan has thrown his hat in the ring for the permanent head coach role at Leeds.

The current interim was a guest on Sky Sports as they speculated about 12 possible candidates to succeed Richard Agar.

The list included former Leeds prop and London coach Danny Ward, as well as Danny McGuire, who this week ruled himself out of contention.

With Gary Hetherington due to go Down Under to speak to possible candidates in the southern hemisphere, the list also included some Australian options.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan said: “Obviously I’ll do it for as long as they need.

“Whoever comes in can hopefully create some positive change coming forward and recreate some of the success we’ve enjoyed the last couple of decades.

“I’ve been a Leeds fan since I was nine years old. I’ve been fortunate to go on a fantastic journey.

“I won’t be beaten for passion by any of those guys, I won’t be beaten on hard work.

“But I lack a great deal of experience and only time can bring that experience.

“Gary is out there on a search and hopefully he finds the right individual.”

A surprise name

Early favourite Ryan Carr, formerly of Featherstone, and Anthony Seibold featured on the list.

Interestingly, Sky Sports presenter Jenna Brooks speculated that the great Wayne Bennett could be a stop-gap option before he takes charge of new NRL club the Dolphins next week.

That arrangement could trigger a Super League return for former Wigan coach Michael Maguire, currently struggling at Wests Tigers.

If Bennett did want a short-term role until he starts with the Dolphins, Maguire could then take over from 2023.

Current England coach Shaun Wane and rugby league legend Ellery Hanley, who will coach the Combined Nations All Stars, also featured.

Paul Green, Cameron Ciraldo and Shane Flanagan were the three other candidates from Down Under.

Hull KR coach Tony Smith has also had to deal with questions about whether he could be tempted to return to Headingley, where he coached between 2004 and 2007.

Jones-Buchanan’s fellow pundit on Sky Sports, Jon Wilkin, added: “There’s a lot of expectation about Leeds.

“For whatever reason it’s not happened. There’s a disconnect between players and fans. There’s a bit of atmosphere at Headingley at the moment.

“Is it a crisis? The more we talk about it, it sounds like it. But it might not be yet.

“It’s got to be a long-term coaching decision.”

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