Wayne Bennett has refused to give any guarantees he'll see out the remaining two years of his contract with Newcastle amid speculation North Queensland want him to be their new coach.
The Cowboys are still searching for a replacement for Neil Henry, who departed the club after the finals defeatby Cronulla earlier his month and Bennett's son-in-law Ben Ikin is on the board.
Bennett's former club Brisbane have also been linked with the seven-time premiership-winning mentor with current coach Anthony Griffin under pressure following the worst season in the club's history.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley this week denied Bennett would be leaving the club.
But the 63-year-old, whose side take on the Sydney Roosters in Saturday's preliminary final, refused to completely hose down speculation linking him with a return to Queensland.
"I've got no control over that [speculation] so I don't worry about it," Bennett said after Knights training.
"I can't give an iron-clad guarantee to anything in this game. Right now, I am the coach here and, when that changes, I'll let you know."
Bennett was lured to the club by the wealth of owner Nathan Tinkler following a successful three-year stint at St George Illawarra on a four-year contract with a A$1 million ($1.14 million) bonus if he delivers a premiership.
But the mining magnate had his fortune drop to A$18 million and was forced to relinquish control of Whitehaven Coal - his key financial asset - to creditors.
But Bennett reiterated his recent support for the Knights' embattled owner. " Without Nathan, we wouldn't be here today," he said. AAP
