Brad Thorn hopes he will be the man at the Queensland helm in 2021 but the Reds coach says a decision on his future will ultimately be out of his hands.
Thorn is in his third season as Reds coach, after taking over from Nick Stiles ahead of the 2018 season, and is off-contract at the end of this year after being given a one-year extension in 2019.
Coaches, as with players, are uncertain about what 2021 looks like and until a competition structure or a broadcast deal is finalised, certainty is not likely to be forthcoming.
The Reds have a 37 per cent winning record under Thorn, with 16 wins from 43 matches under his tutelage but many expect them to challenge for the Super Rugby AU title in the coming weeks.
A fightback win against the Bulls to finish Super Rugby earlier this year and some gritty wins in Super Rugby AU, despite the loss of some key players during the shutdown, have not hurt Thorn's case for renewal.
Both Thorn and attack coach Jim McKay come off contract at the end of this season but there has been no serious suggestion that either are under threat despite the side's lean returns in 2018 and 2019.
A report last month suggested Thorn was on the verge of receiving another one-year extension after the promising progress of 2020.
Queensland has already parted with one of its coaches, defence mentor Peter Ryan, who was let go as a contractor in COVID cost-cutting measures.
Thorn said he wanted to be able to see the development of his young players through but whether he was able to would be determined by officials and the decisions on the 2021 competition.
"Definitely anyone who knows me knows I want to achieve stuff and it's not solely my decision is it, we've got people making those decisions and we've got to see where the game is going," he said.
"I think it's going, by the sounds of it, in a positive way with the competition they're talking about and you want to be part of it."
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Thorn said he felt like he had made some positive changes to the team since coming on board.
"It would be nice to (be here in 2021)," he said when asked about his future on Thursday.
"I've enjoyed his role, this is my third year and I wanted to serve this club as best I could and at the minute I'm leaving it at a better place for the next guy.
"I feel like it's in a reasonable place but being attached to the guys and what we've done and the build that we've done it would be great to see it through and see some real strength for the Queensland Reds but also rugby in Queensland in general."
There had been reports last month that Thorn was in line for a one-year extension but there is still uncertainty around 2021 across the board.
Thorn is the only Super Rugby AU coach off-contract this year with the Rebels' Dave Wessels, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar having already re-signed through to 2021 and the Waratahs' Rob Penney signed on until 2022.
With a game-wide contracting freeze lifted in recent weeks, player movements are starting to slowly increase and more are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks and months.
Hunter Paisami became the first player to publicly re-commit for next season when he inked a deal last week while young flyhalf Carter Gordon is believed to be making a switch to the Rebels.
Gordon had been considered one of Queensland's brightest prospects at flyhalf after promising stints in the NRC and schools levels but he has had little opportunity in Super Rugby.
Thorn stopped short of confirming that move but said he wouldn't be stopping any player who decided they wanted to leave.
"Guys have to make decisions and I think we'll see where that gets to (with Gordon)," he said.
"We want people who want to be in Queensland, it's as simple as that, want to be here.
"When I came in here it was about the mateship, bringing the guys through that love caring about each other, love caring about each other.
"It was about the jersey -140 years of history of guys setting the standard before us, but not that being a burden but that being a positive thing but now this is what we've got to add to it.
"This is our time in the jersey so there's been a few decisions this year, guys have decided to move on and you wish them well and that but at the end of the day you want people who want to die for that jersey and play for their mates.
"For me, that was whether it was league or union it was very simple around that.
"That's what drove so much of what you put into it, all the extras, the work you do, the time you spend with the guys."
The Reds take on the Waratahs on Saturday August 8 at the SCG, kicking off at 7:15pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here. Buy a Kayo Sports subscription here.
