Queensland Rugby League has officially tabled a three-year deal to Billy Slater to become the Maroons’ next coach, but the Storm icon is yet to accept.
QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher told The Courier Mail that the three-year offer to the 38-year-old was in the form of two guaranteed years with an option, declaring “the ball is in Billy’s court”.
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While Hatcher said he was “confident” that Slater would be leading Queensland in next year’s State of Origin campaign, he admitted QRL was currently “in limbo”.
“Billy and his manager are the ones considering all issues, so we just have to wait,” he said.
“We are pretty definite about what we are prepared to offer, it just depends whether it’s acceptable or not and in any way, shape or form negotiable.
“That’s about the only thing standing in the road with Billy, we can’t drag this on indefinitely and make it a Dutch auction.
“I was hoping for an answer last week. I didn’t think it would be this complicated, but I understand managers do this for a living and that there is a marketplace out there.”
The offer comes after Slater admitted that he was “certainly considering” being Queensland’s next coach.
“I’ve got family commitments and I respect the role that much that I know how much I will put into the role, and I know how much it will demand and the commitment it will take,” Slater said during Nine’s NRL coverage on Friday.
“So it’s not just an easy decision to say, ‘Yes’, but certainly [there is] some consideration there.”