Brian McDermott admits the England job would interest him but says he is happy at Leeds

Image: Leeds head coach Brian McDermott says he wouldn't chase the England job

Leeds head coach Brian McDermott has admitted he would be interested in the England job if the Rugby Football League came looking for his services.

Last month, under the stewardship of Wayne Bennett, England reached the final of the World Cup for the first time in 22 years.

But Bennett's contract has now expired and the Australian has yet to announce his plans for the future.

Image: England suffered a narrow 6-0 loss to Australia in this year's final

Asked if he would be interested if approached about the England job, McDermott said: "Yes.

"I'm cool, I'm at ease with coaching Leeds. I love coaching Leeds and at no stage would I ever chase that job - I don't think it's a job you chase, actually.

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"I wouldn't want the job at any expense either; if I was to get the job I'd want to do it my way, which wouldn't be too radical but I'm just trying to make a point that I won't get veered off the track to chase the England job.

Image: Wayne Bennett was coy when asked about his future after the World Cup final

"If it becomes available and I get a phone call I'm certainly up for that.

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"I think they've got a good bloke in charge at the moment."

McDermott last year guided the Rhinos to their second Super League title in the space of three seasons and the 47-year-old hopes there is more to come from his side next season.

"I think there's some realistic chances we can do that (retain the title)," he said.

Image: McDermott believes there is more to come from his Leeds Rhinos side next season

"I don't think throughout the whole of 2017 we ever went through too many bad patches, but I don't think we also went through too many purple patches either - I don't think too often we said 'wow' to ourselves... so there is improvement in us.

"I'm keen to stress that nobody in the camp is thinking 'job done'."

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