NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson accepts the final year of his contract could come under scrutiny from the NSW Rugby Union board and they could choose to go in another direction.
The Tahs have missed out on the playoffs in both of Gibson's two years in charge and he has expressed concerns about their defence, with NSW already having leaked their most points in a Super Rugby campaign with two rounds left.
They have won just four of 13 games and their playoff hopes were extinguished on the weekend after they lost to the Chiefs and the Brumbies beat the Rebels to win the Australian conference.
As recently as late April, Waratahs chief executive Andrew Hore and chairman Roger Davis stated their support for Gibson, but he recognises his position could be reviewed and even changed now that finals are no longer a possibility.
"That's certainly the board's decision," Gibson said on Monday.
"Obviously I feel well supported by the board and the organisation and if they feel they need to go in another direction, that's part of coaching and what you sign up for."
Gibson said he was disappointed NSW hadn't lived up to their potential this season and would review his own performance as well as the team's.
"We will have a very good look at ourselves and part of that is looking at my own coaching and seeing how I can improve as a coach," he said.
"I think if we look at our performances this year, the area that has probably been underperforming is in defence."
The Waratahs have conceded 442 points at an average of 34 a game and an average of more than four tries per match.
Gibson said he had no issue with the work of defence coach Nathan Grey, who performs the same role for the Wallabies.
"I believe he is an excellent coach," Gibson said.
"For whatever reason it just hasn't happened for the Waratahs this season.
"We'll certainly be putting the microscope over those reasons, whether it's a technical issue, an attitude issue."
He said the Tahs' open game style meant they were vulnerable on turnovers, especially against New Zealand teams, four of whom scored six tries against them.
Gibson added they had also been hurt by recurring discipline issues, three successive early-season losses and a home defeat by the Kings.
He expected to have Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps back from an ankle injury for the last two games.
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