‘Would be selfish’: Joey explains why he won’t coach Blues
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NSW legend Andrew Johns has shut down coaching the side in the future, while also pushing the case for a surprise candidate to take over.
Social media was sent into a frenzy on Sunday night when Matty Johns made an off-the-cuff remark about helping his brother coach at State of Origin level.
Andrew and Matty Johns together in 2018. Getty
Blues fans have been calling for years for the Johns brothers to become more heavily involved with the side, but that won’t be happening any time soon.
Speaking on Nine’s Freddy and The Eighth, the champion Blues halfback was asked whether he would take over from Laurie Daley.
Johns shot down the suggestion and explained why it would be “selfish” for him to step into the hot-seat at this stage of his life and career.
“Nah mate,” the Immortal said.
“A part of me would love to do it, but realistically the knock on Laurie the last couple of years has been inexperience, especially around the interchange.
“I can imagine the coach’s box, the pressure would be incredible and I don’t think I can be clear and calm enough. I probably haven’t got the personality to do it.
“Our job here at Channel Nine, is try to be a straight shooter and I try to be as straight as I can and around Origin time, it murkies the water.
“If you’re looking to pick a certain player and they’re not in great form, you can’t say it. I just find that incredibly difficult, I try to be as straight as I can and no BS, just deliver it ... I think it would compromise my job here.
“People say ‘you bleed blue and you’re passionate’ but what’s that mean? A part of me would love to do it, but I think it would be incredibly selfish.”
Co-host Brad Fittler tried to bait him into it and said Johns could work with an experienced coach like Ivan Cleary or even team up with his brother.
“You could do it mate, honestly,” Fittler said.
“You just take someone with a bit of experience. You could take Ivan in, you could take Matty - it would be good for the state.
Johns doubled down and said the relationship between him and Matty would struggle to cope inside the fierce Origin arena.
“I’m not taking Matty - could you imagine me and Matty for six weeks together in the pressure cooker?” he laughed.
Boyd Cordner is getting huge plaudits as a coach. Getty
There have been a handful of other candidates emerge recently, including NSW assistants Boyd Cordner and Matt King, who also work at the Sydney Roosters.
But according to Johns, there is one clear front-runner should the position become available leading into the 2027 series.
“I don’t think Laurie is gonna do it next year,” he said.
“You need a very experienced coach and for mine, someone who has got the DNA of New South Wales and has great experience is Trent Barrett.
“Baz didn’t have great success in first grade with Manly and the Dogs, but the clubs at those times were struggling.
“He was at Penrith when they first started the run and then last year, he did the attack for Brisbane ... I think Trent Barrett would be perfect.”
Barrett has remained at the Broncos this season as an assistant coach under Michael Maguire, who ironically was the NSW coach prior to Daley.
