Queensland are on the hunt for a new Origin coach after Paul Green decided to quit his post.
The QRL confirmed Green had decided to step away from the senior role with the Maroons after this year's lost series, as the state looks for long-term stability in its head coaching position.
In a statement, Green said he still harbours a desire to return to NRL coaching in the near future, which proved a sticking point in discussions around his tenure as Maroons coach moving forward.
“After much consultation and discussion post the Origin series, both the QRL and I have decided to move in different directions,” Green said.
“The basis for this is simple, the QRL wants to ensure that they have certainty around the Origin coach not wanting to pursue an NRL head coach job, and whilst I could give them that certainty for the 2021 series, I cannot guarantee that this would be the case in the future.
“We all understand the dynamics and volatility around NRL club head coach roles and ultimately, that is where I see myself when the right opportunity opens up.
“I agree with the QRL’s desire for stability in the Origin coach job and to that end, I felt compelled to be transparent with my broader plans and thus this decision. I have loved every minute of this job as it is every Queenslanders dream to coach this team.
“Whilst we didn’t win the 2021 series, I feel that the future is very bright for the Queensland team and wish them and the new coach the very best for 2022 and beyond.”
Green was under immense pressure to keep his job following this year's 2-1 lost series to New South Wales, who have now won three of the past four Origin series.
Last month it was reported the QRL gave Green their backing after a post-series review, with plans to give Green a bigger role in a full-time capacity, similar to that of Blues counterpart Brad Fittler.
Ultimately it was Green who decided to quit however, with QRL boss Bruce Hatcher giving him his full backing to hold out for a suitable NRL coaching job.
“We understand and respect Paul’s ambitions to return to NRL coaching at some point, and we wish him every bit of success in the future,” Hatcher said.
“In my opinion, Paul went through the most exceptional circumstances in the history of Origin, with issues around injuries, COVID-19 and player eligibility, and the way the team was able to finish off the series with one of the great Origin victories is testament to his leadership.”
Green's decision to step down as Maroons coach comes as rumblings around Tigers coach Michael Maguire's future intensify following the club's poor 2021 campaign.
An internal review is expected to decide whether Maguire is sacked, in which case Green, who helped lead North Queensland to the 2015 premiership before departing last season, would become a frontrunner to take up the Tigers role.