McFadden could not be reached for comment tonight and the Herald has asked both the Warriors and New Zealand Rugby League to clarify the situation and is awaiting reply.
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The New Zealand Warriors are seemingly on the verge on undergoing a major shake-up in the coming days, with reports surfacing claiming coach Andrew McFadden is about to be replaced.
The former New Zealand global forward, who played with Western Suburbs, the Warriors and Melbourne, endured an unsuccessful stint as head coach with Parramatta in 2011 and 2012.
It follows the Warriors’ disappointing season where they failed to qualify for the top eight for the fifth consecutive season.
The former Kiwi worldwide played 79 games for the Warriors.
He was expected to oversee the Kiwis through their end of season transtasman test against Australia in Perth on October 15 and their ensuing Four Nations defence in the United Kingdom through November.
Kearney has enjoyed a successful tenure at the helm of the New Zealand national side, having guided them to the world number one ranking, but he is expected to call time on his global role in order to take up the job with the Warriors, leaving the Kiwis without a coach before next month’s Four Nations tournament.
Speaking to media about the selections in the Kiwis initial train-on squad last Wednesday, Kearney adopted a “neither-confirm-nor-deny” approach, when asked if he was interested in taking over from McFadden.
The former Parramatta coach has been linked with the Warriors before – especially in 2012 when he was sounded out in the wake of Brian McClennan’s departure.
Kearney is also now an assistant under Wayne Bennett at Brisbane.
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Meanwhile, the Warriors are close to securing former Parramatta skipper Kieran Foran to a one-year deal.
