Gold Coast are taking the advice of Gorden Tallis and not rushing into anointing a new head coach, despite the sudden axing of premiership-winning South Sydney mentor Michael Maguire.
Maguire snapped the Rabbitohs' 43-year premiership drought in 2014, but was shown the door by the club on Tuesday night with two seasons left to run on his contract.
He now firms as a contender for the Titans job vacated by the axed Neil Henry, although he is one of many being touted as a good fit for the role.
While endorsing Maguire, Tallis said the Titans had nothing to gain from hurrying to a decision.
"They have got a lot of experience that will make the right decision at the right time, just don't rush into it," the former Broncos, Queensland and Australian captain said on Wednesday.
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"The Titans have got to be ready and going by March, that's when it counts.
"If it takes three or four weeks to get a decision so be it."
The Titans appear to be listening, with club boss Graham Annesley saying on Wednesday the club had not been in contact with Maguire.
In fact the Titans are still in the final stages of confirming a coaching selection panel, with a coach not likely to be named until mid October.
"He's a high quality coach, who has won a premiership, but at this stage we haven't had contact with him," Annesley said of Maguire.
"We want to firm that panel up in the next day or so and will be looking to name the new coach in early to mid October."
Tallis endorsed current Canterbury coach Des Hasler, Penrith's NSW Cup coach Garth Brennan and Maguire as solid candidates.
He also endorsed Ipswich Jets coaching pair Shane and Ben Walker, who along with current Titans assistant Terry Matterson have made their desires for the job clear.
"I think it is a pleasing thing that people are knocking on the door and wanting to go to the Titans organisation; it shows they have faith in the players there and the NRL as an organisation," Tallis said.
The proud Queenslander also knocked on the head any suggestion that the club must hire from within the state.
"I would just go with the best guy," he said.
"As Queenslanders we just need another team that is successful here and it has to be the Gold Coast Titans."
