Penrith star Michael Jennings has called on the NRL club's hierarchy to quickly sign a new coach so off-contract players know where they stand.

Jennings described his selection for City as a chance to clear his head of the distractions at the second-last Panthers, who decided last week not to renew current coach Matt Elliott's contract beyond this year.

The star centre is tied to Penrith until the end of the 2015 season but a host of players, including Timana Tahu, Trent Waterhouse and Nathan Smith, are off-contract this year.

The club will also find it hard to attract recruits while the 2012 coach is unknown, although former St George Illawarra boss Nathan Brown, NSW mentor Ricky Stuart and Panthers assistant Steve Georgallis have all been linked to the job.

"If I was a player off-contract it would be beneficial to know who the coach is just to suit your game," Jennings said.

"It would be good to know who's going to coach next year just to clear it all up."

Jennings' comments came amidst reports players are at odds with the club's board over substandard facilities and the treatment of Elliott.

"It's good (to be in camp with City), you get away from all the distractions that are going on at the moment and just really clear your mind ... start fresh," Jennings said.

"It is a bit frustrating but we're not getting too caught up in it.

"What's done is done and now we've just got to focus on our season."

One man who won't be at the helm at the foot of the mountains is Panthers legend Brad Fittler, despite a foray back into coaching with City.

"It's a big job out there and I don't know if I'd be up to it," Fittler said, adding that no approach had been made.

"You've got a lot of juniors you've got to work out and there's some real structures to be put in there.

"I don't think I'm the man for that job.

"I love Penrith and the big thing is I love their juniors, I played in amongst them, I know how competitive it is and I just know there's another way it can be done.

"But it needs money and it needs energy and I haven't spent enough time in Penrith to know if they've got that."

The former Roosters boss said his job in the media suited his lifestyle, for now at least with his young family.

"I'm sure at some stage I will (coach) because I like it.

"I love talking to the blokes and I love seeing the whole process of getting the most out of them."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP