'I'd be interested in it for sure': Sam Burgess puts hand up to coach new Perth team

NRL legend Sam Burgess has emerged as a frontrunner to coach the new Perth franchise if the Western Australia licence is successful.

Burgess has confirmed his interest in coaching the team, which will likely be dubbed either the Perth Bears or Western Bears and enter the league for the 2027 season.

The South Sydney great is currently coaching Warrington in the Super League.

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"It's a great opportunity and a job I've certainly spoken about. I'd be interested in it for sure," Burgess told the Warrington Guardian.

"I've got a job to do here, but there will always be things happening in the background and I'm pretty open with the club about everything.

"Nothing is signed or agreed just yet, and I'll be the first to let the club know of anything if I need to.

"It is something I'd be really interested in and I feel I could make a total difference there, but for now I'm totally focused on Warrington."

English forward Burgess played 182 NRL games for the Rabbitohs before becoming an assistant coach at the club under Wayne Bennett.

His tenure in Redfern came to a sad end when he suddenly left the club amid turmoil that derailed the end of their 2023 season.

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He went to England to begin his head coaching career and is signed with the Wolves until the end of 2026 - making him a prime target for the Bears.

The other coach already in contention is former Eels leader Brad Arthur, who is also coaching in the Super League.

NRL chief Andrew Abdo would not be drawn on potential candidates when speaking about the Perth franchise over the weekend.

While it's been widely reported the Bears are coming back via Western Australia, the deal is yet to be locked in.

"Nothing is guaranteed, we have got to follow a process. Obviously (Athur) has indicated his interest and he's got great credentials," Abdo said on Triple M's Sunday Sin Bin.

"But nothing is finalised. We haven't finalised the overall structure and we are very respectful of that. We are respectful of our relationship with the Western Australian government.

"And doing something that works for everyone, hopefully we get really close to that, the governance can be set up and finalise who the coach is."