Australian Smith will leave Leeds at the end of the season

Smith will see out his contract with the Rhinos until October, before leaving the club to take up his new role on a full-time basis.

"Ideally, we'd like to appoint an Englishman - we're committed to developing our own coaches," said Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington.

"But, as with the RFL, the primary factor is the best man for the job."

Hetherington's words are likely to send alarm bells ringing at Harlequins where highly-rated coach Brian McDermott, a former Great Britain international, has already been linked with the post.

McDermott was assistant to Smith at the Rhinos before leaving for London in July last year, and Hetherington made it clear that he rated the former Marine highly.

"Brian is typical of what we're about," said Hetherington.

"We recognised someone with outstanding qualities. He had an excellent grounding as a number two and he needed to go and do a job.

"We actually encouraged him to take the next move in the knowledge that he could ultimately be a possible successor to Tony Smith in the future.

I am totally committed to the Rhinos cause Leeds and Great Britain coach Tony Smith

"Nothing was set in stone. It was important that Brian got some runs on the board as a Super League coach.

"But, of course, circumstances have changed and he is firmly in post at Harlequins."

Other names in the frame include several Australian coaches, with John Lang, Shaun McRae and Hull KR's Justin Morgan thought to be among the contenders.

The club also confirmed that Smith's successor at Headingley would not take up the role until 1 December.

Smith insisted he would not take his eye off the ball with Leeds before he leaves in October.

"The Rugby League and I have had an agreement from the start that it will have no effect on Leeds Rhinos," he said.

"I am totally committed to the Rhinos cause. I am passionate about that. Any time I spend on a consultancy basis with the League will be at the expense of my family and leisure time."

Hetherington, who confirmed that the club had been planning to offer Smith a contract extension, said the club was in no rush to make an appointment.

"It's important to consider every avenue - we're not into breaking contracts," he said.

This is one of the most demanding jobs in world rugby Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington

"We have now got to look at the market. Tony's appointment with Great Britain happened very quickly. I'd like to think this position will create a lot of interest.

"We're looking for someone with some special personal qualities at the cutting edge of elite coaching and player preparation.

"There is no immediate urgency. It could be next week or it could be November but the likelihood is that an appointment will be made at the end of the season.

"This is one of the most demanding jobs in world rugby."

Hetherington, who will conduct the search for the new man before passing a decision on to the board of directors, did rule out a return for Daryl Powell.

Powell was moved to one side to make way for Smith's appointment in 2003, and has since taken over coaching of the Rhinos' sister rugby union team Leeds Tykes.