Michael Cheika approached by Newcastle as shortlist for vacant coaching role revealed

Michael Cheika has been approached by the Knights and looks set to enter the race to fill the vacant head coaching role next season.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the club reached out to the former Wallabies boss to gauge his interest in setting up a potential interview.

Cheika will join a six-man shortlist of candidates that also includes Justin Holbrook, Blake Green, Dean Young, John Morris and Paul McGregor.

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The 58-year-old has made no secret of his desire to take up an NRL position after a stellar career coaching across the globe in rugby union.

Cheika received a glowing endorsement from club legend Andrew Johns last week during an episode of Nine's Freddy and The Eighth.

"I would love to see you as a head coach – I think you'd nail it – but in the right group with the right support staff in the front office and people around you," Johns said.

The response from Cheika explains why he is so passionate about making the switch.

"I think that challenge, if you think about it, hasn't really been met," he said.

"Alan Jones had a crack at it way back. It hasn't been done with success. Many league coaches have come over to rugby and been successful there.

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"To master that challenge, especially being an Aussie kid where league is such a big sport and I grew up playing the sport, I think it would be a huge challenge.

"I've been back here now for maybe six weeks or so, getting my feet on the ground and deciding what I'm gonna get up to next."

Newcastle put together a panel that includes premiership-winning coach Michael Hagan as part of the process in determining who will take over from Adam O'Brien.

Two of the leading contenders - Brad Arthur and Willie Peters - have already opted not to pursue the position left open by the impending exit of O'Brien.

Both coaches are currently vying for the Super League premiership with Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR respectively.

O'Brien will coach his final game for the Knights on Sunday afternoon against the Eels.

Should they lose, Newcastle will finish with the wooden spoon after Gold Coast's dramatic comeback victory against the Wests Tigers.