McNamara: I was disappointed and frustrated

Steve McNamara says he was left disappointed and very frustrated after being replaced as England coach by Wayne Bennett.

McNamara was in charge of England since 2010. He learned about Bennett’s appointment through the media before being told officially.

“I was really disappointed and very frustrated,” McNamara told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“I am a very proud Englishman and really proud and privileged to coach my country. I really enjoyed the whole process of it.

“I was extremely disappointed but probably not too surprised. I was half ready for it. I invested so much into the team and program to get it to a stage where it was at, but you’ve got to move on.

“The disappointment was huge but I look back on that and it’s been an incredible journey. I think it’s a great job. It’s just had success and it’s set up ready for more success.

“The team is comfortable and ready to continue winning. Any coach would want to coach that group right now. That’s what we do as coaches.

“We’re always taking somebody else’s coach and someone is taking ours. That’s the nature of the industry we’re in.”

McNamara, who is an assistant with the Roosters, is open to returning to England for a coaching job or staying in the NRL.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the Roosters and the Eastern Suburbs as an area which has been great for myself professionally and my family,” he said.

“I’m really happy and comfortable with where we are at. An NRL coaching position is something every coach would be interested in.”