NRL 2024: Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson gives Matt King blessing to become next NSW Blues coach

In a major development ahead of a crucial NSWRL board meeting, the Sydney Roosters could be in for a coaching change ahead of 2025.

A heart-to-heart meeting with Roosters coach Trent Robinson has led Matt King to the decision of walking away from the glamour club if he is successful in landing the head coaching job of the NSW State of Origin team.

In a major development ahead of a crucial NSWRL board meeting this week, the Roosters could be set for more change ahead of the 2025 season with assistant coach King emerging as the leading contender to replace Michael Maguire at the Blues, due to a number of factors.

The revelation that King is willing to walk away from the position he’s held at the Roosters for the past nine years to focus solely on the Blues beating Queensland will carry enormous weight with the NSWRL board.

In addition, King has received a supportive push from key players involved in the Blues successful 2024 Origin series win, where he was the assistant coach to Maguire – a major advantage for the former Test and NSW Origin winger.

The Roosters could be in for a coaching change in 2025, with Matt King a chance to leave the club if he is chosen to replace Michael Maguire as NSW coach. Picture: Getty Images

Not out of the race are Sea Eagles assistant coach Michael Ennis and current Blues assistant coach Brett White, who will also be strongly considered for the position.

Former Blues coach Laurie Daley and Broncos assistant coach Trent Barrett are believed to be next in line, at this stage.

Another plus for King is that the entire coaching and high performance staff from Maguire’s 2024 series win have committed to returning in 2025, irrespective of who the next Blues coach is.

Such is the belief and trust that were built in camp in the Blue Mountains among the players and support staff, the NSWRL are loath to change anything, if at all, from their 2-1 series win.

The elevation of King from his assistant role to head coach provides the Blues with a seamless transition.

King has emerged as one of the leading contenders to replace Maguire. Picture: Getty Images

King’s rise to prominence will come as a surprise to fans who only know of the Casino-born 44-year-old as the former winger who boasts an ever-present smile and was nicknamed “Sideshow Bob” as a player due to his frizzy hairstyle.

Yet after supporting Maguire to the 2014 premiership with South Sydney and a further nine-years currently with the Roosters as an assistant, King has developed a serious reputation among the game’s best coaches as a quality leader, capable of getting his message across.

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins told this column that King is a coach that “cares” and “as a coach, delivery of communication and getting that message across is a big thing and Kingy does that really well.”

Undeniably, King would face a brutal initiation to big time coaching.

Some of the greatest coaches in the game have failed under the intensity and pressure of Origin.

Roosters head coach Trent Robinson says King has his blessing to leave the Roosters if the opportunity to coach NSW comes around. Picture: Getty Images

The analysis of team selections by fans and the media is overwhelming.

King, by his own concession, has little or no experience with the media spotlight or the scrutiny that comes with being the coach of NSW.

However, Robinson has not only backed King for the job, but revealed that it would require the 2005 Brad Fittler medallist to walk away from his critical role at the Roosters in order to lead the Blues.

“It’s been clear and supportive from our end. It’s all been upfront before this process (NSW coach search) even started,” Robinson said.

“You can’t do both roles (NRL assistant and NSW Origin coach). It’s all consuming, even though it’s three games, it consumes months and months of the year.

“So they’re two separate roles.

“Again, it’s all been discussed before the process started and Kingy would go with our blessing.”

Going with King to replace Maguire could be a seamless transition for the Blues, having previously served as assistant coach. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if King would handle one of the toughest jobs in Australian sport, Robinson said: “He’s ready.

“He’s been coaching with us for nine years.

“He’s been involved in successful teams with NSW and Lebanon. People forget he was an assistant to Michael Cheika for Lebanon at the 2021 world cup, he’s had plenty of experience and he’s played in that Origin arena.

“So he’s ready to go. ”People often see Kingy as the frizzy hair centre, but there’s a great coach under there.

“This is the thing, he’s got a great knowledge of the game, so that’s really key.

“But his temperament at all times is really solid.

“His ability to regulate himself, no matter the situation, good or bad, has been his strength. Which is going to be needed in that arena.”