St Helens coach Mick Potter has set his sights on an NRL coaching job after announcing he will be quitting the English Super League club at the end of the season.

The former Canterbury and St George Illawarra fullback has enjoyed a successful five-year stint in Europe starting at French side Catalans Dragons before he replaced Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson at St Helens in 2008.

Potter said he has made inquiries about a return to coaching in the NRL and indicated he would be happy to work as an assistant.

The 46-year-old, who was an assistant to Nathan Brown at the Dragons when he was appointed coach for the Catalans' inaugural Super League season in 2006, wants to come home for family reasons.

And he believes by announcing his decision to return to Australia now, it will give him a better chance of picking up a job.

"As you get older you want to be with your family," said Potter, who admitted he never got around to discussing a new contract with St Helens chairman Eamon McManus.

"I spoke to Eamon last week and it was the way to go for me in all honesty.

"It clears the air for everyone. He can move forward and it gives me the opportunity to look around.

"It's the right time for me. Given the communications I've had in Australia, the opportunity that might come up maybe won't be there in another year.

"It's always been my intention to one day coach in the NRL and it's something I truly believe I am ready for.

"I'd love to get a head coaching job but there is a limited number in the country.

"I wouldn't rule out assisting someone. I'd enjoy that - perhaps not as much as I'd enjoy a head coaching role - but it's a case of getting back there. I've been away five years now.

Potter took the Perpignan club to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 2007 and was named Super League coach of the year in 2008 after guiding them to the play-offs.

Saints failed to win a trophy - for the first time since 2003 - in Potter's first season but they are currently well involved in the Super League title race and in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.

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