Mal Meninga is reportedly set to be named as the Perth Bears head coach within days after the NRL interviewed a host of high-profile candidates for the role.
According to Code Sports, the ARL Commission is set to make an unveil Meninga as the figurehead of the 17th franchise in the coming weeks.
Meninga and the ARLC are reportedly finalising his contract and decided on his salary which will end a 25-year hiatus from NRL coaching.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >
The current Kangaroos coach has reportedly beat out the lines of Sam Burgess, Brad Arthur and Kevin Walters for the role.
A Meninga and Burgess coaching duo was also floated, with the current Warrington Wolves coach being initially and assistant before taking over the head coaching role.
However, the English rugby league legend is hopeful of becoming an NRL head coach once his current contract expires at the end of the 2026 season.
Arthur, meanwhile, emerged as the initial preferred candidate but reportedly hasn’t had any correspondence from the ARLC and is resigned to missing out on the role.
Meninga’s last tenure as an NRL coach ended at the Raiders in 2001 and he will have to vacate his role with the Kangaroos to begin with the Bears.
Mal closes in on Bears coaching role | 00:32
MORE ORIGIN NEWS
HOOPS: Massive QLD names on chopping block as ‘load of waffle’ exposed
CRAWLS: The big calls Billy must make to save QLD as ‘jury still out’ on golden boy
‘MASTERCLASS’: New-look Blues halves make Suncorp statement in 27-year first
He won 66 of his 125 games in charge in the nation’s capital, while his time with Australia has been incredibly successful.
“I haven’t had any conversations about this (quitting Australia) and to be honest I don’t want to make any comments,” Meninga said to News Corp.
“It will be addressed if and only if the decision (to coach Perth) becomes a reality. The reality for me is that I’m the current Aussie coach.”
Matt King, Justin Holbrook and Josh Hannay have reportedly been floated as potential assistant coaches.
