NSW captain Boyd Cordner has pleaded for Laurie Daley to stay past this year's State of Origin decider amid fears the Blues could be on the lookout for a new coach in 2018.
Daley's contract expires at the end of this year's series however there is no guarantee to remain at the helm should NSW lose a fourth attempt at the shield under his watch.
No Blues coach has survived more than three series defeats, and Daley has been non-committal on whether he would be seeking a new deal next year.
However ahead of Wednesday's decider at Suncorp Stadium, where the Blues enter as favourites, Cordner went in to bat for the former Blues champion.
The Blues skipper said the Origin coaching gig was made for Daley, who also stands on the precipice of becoming the second NSW coach to claim more than one series triumph.
Legendary mentor Phil Gould has six series wins.
"I love Loz as a coach. I don't think I've met a more passionate man who's worn the blue jersey. I think it's carbon-copied for him to have his job just with the emotion he shows," Cordner said.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve. A hundred per cent I want him to stay."
NSW under-16s and 18s coach Brad Fittler and current Blues assistant John Cartwright have been mentioned as possible candidates to take over should the job be vacated.
The future of selection adviser Peter Sterling, who signed a one-year deal last year, is also under a cloud after recently hinting his status would be tied to Daley's decision.
Cordner, who was appointed captaincy from Paul Gallen on the eve of this year's series, credited Daley for helping develop him into one of the NRL's elite players.
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