Shane Flanagan is a man that polarises opinion across rugby league - and things have heated up again this week following a bombshell report.
The Sydney Morning Herald broke news on Monday that the NRL were considering allowing the former Cronulla Sharks boss to return to a head coaching role this season.
Despite there being no jobs available across the 16 clubs, there is a belief that if a coach was to be shown the door, Flanagan would be allowed to return before his suspension ends on November 1.
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However, Flanagan revealed on Thursday morning while speaking to SEN Radio that he has not made a formal approach to the NRL about an early return.
"No definitely not. I was shocked on Monday afternoon when I received a phone call from a journalist. He said he had some information that the NRL had spoken about it or were thinking about making a decision - I wasn't quite sure of the finer details," he said.
"It was a bit of a shock to me - he went with it, he said he was comfortable with the information that he had got and I had to go with it. I can't control these things and what people are talking about in the media.
"I have had regular contact with the NRL with Mr. V'landys and Mr. Abdo, but there has been no application for me to come back early and there are no jobs available.
"I want to coach in the NRL again, but there are no jobs available. If and when that does happen, I will deal with it then.
"I'm unemployed at the moment so people are going to talk about it. I can assure you there has been no formal approach to the NRL. There's no reason for me to apply to come back early when there are no jobs.
"It's like having a driver's licence but not having a car. I'll just sit back and see what happens this year."
Flanagan has been linked to a return to the Sharks, with pressure mounting on John Morris before the 2021 season has even begun.
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The 2016 premiership winner empathised with Morris, citing that the job is 'already hard enough' without the constant speculation.
"I live in the Shire and do some work in the Shire - I understand how hard it is," he said.
"Before a ball has even been kicked, there is speculation about it. For John, it is unfair and he's got this year to prove himself and he will get another contract.
"There has been no communication with me and the Sharks at all. They are behind John and they are working hard."
Flanagan knows that there are no guarantees that he will find himself a job - even after his suspension finishes - but hopes his detractors are willing to give him another chance.
"That's what I do and that's what I love. I feel like I do a really good job at it. I've made a few mistakes which I have learned from. Some of those mistakes were in 2012 and 2014, and I have done some courses and I'm a better coach now and a better person," he said.
"Everyone has their opinion in sport, but a lot of people don't actually know the circumstances behind the situation. It was a genuine honest mistake on behalf of the club and myself. I'll be back and I'll represent the game really well and represent the club that I work for really well.
"If I get a job on November 1, that will be good for me. I know I'm a good coach and I can get teams to win and get individuals to play and develop their game. It shows with my results with the Sharks - every year we were in the semi finals.
"The results are on the board - I've had some hiccups through the way and I can guarantee the NRL they will never happen again."