Who could replace Brian McDermott at Leeds?

Barrie McDermott is not surprised by the sacking of Leeds coach Brian McDermott but is disappointed for him after he had so much success with the club.

Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott departs after a spectacularly successful tenure - having been at the helm since October 2010, when he replaced Brian McClennan.

Despite a trophy cabinet that boasts four Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge, his recent record has not been good enough after a club-record seven successive Super League defeats.

"I don't feel this is a shock to use a cliché, this is a results-based industry and Leeds have not been picking up the results that they would have wanted," Barrie McDermott told Sky Sports.

"I have watched Leeds' last three games live - there was an air of optimism at the end of the St Helens game where they were a hair's breadth away from winning that. Next up was a dour performance against Catalans on the Wednesday night, however the game against Wigan was without fight or spirit and things had really deteriorated over the last three weeks.

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"I am not sure about the timing but I can see Leeds getting at least three from four victories that they need to stay in the top eight and perhaps this is a move towards that.

"There have been some circumstances beyond the control of the head coach which have affected results but results are what you are judged on as a coach and seven losses has just been too much for Gary Hetherington and the board.

"Every coach has a shelf life and eight years is a long time for one coach to be at one club," added Barrie.

"In those eight years we have seen quite a transition of players and he has lost some major players including one of the all-time greats in Kevin Sinfield. To replace players like that is very difficult."

Who will take over?

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington says that the decision was made with the best interest of the club at heart, and Barrie hopes the new head coach will have an understanding of what makes Leeds so special.

"As a former Leeds man, I think it is imperative that they get someone who understands the club and the culture of Leeds Rhinos," explained Barrie.

"I personally would not want to see an overseas coach with no understanding of Leeds.

"If Leeds fans were asked who they would like to see take over, I think the majority would opt for Daryl Powell. He played for the club, he coached there before, he knows how the place works and his coaching credentials are as good as - if not better - than anyone else in Super League at the moment and I believe he's the best British coach in Super League.

"Another name on the wish list could be David Furner - he played a couple of years and was involved in the first Grand Final back in 2004. He has been in the NRL for a decade where he has been a head coach at Canberra, an assistant at North Queensland Cowboys as well as being involved with Tonga and Australia I can't speak highly enough about him as a man and as a coach he has a stellar reputation.

"The club has some good coaches already in the system James Lowes, Chev Walker, Barry Eaton and Rob Burrow who is looking after the under 19's and an excellent coach."

What next for Brian McDermott?

Barrie says that it is too soon to talk about the next role for Brian but hopes he is not lost to the sport.

"I worked with Brian during my time as a member of his coaching staff and I have nothing but praise for him, he was first class it's not a surprise he has been so successful it's by design," said Barrie.

"Like all good coaches, they are obsessive in their approach to the team and the individuals within it.

"He is an outstanding coach and the sport of rugby league cannot lose his skill, knowledge and experience. I am very confident that he will turn up somewhere else very soon - I would hate to see him go to the other code but I would not be surprised if he takes one of those big challenges overseas."