Former Penrith and Canberra coach Matt Elliott has been unveiled as the new Warriors NRL mentor, signing a two-year deal on Friday.

Elliott arrives at the club under immediate pressure to overturn a disappointing 2012 campaign, in which they went from grand finalists the year prior to missing the top eight entirely.

Elliott, who becomes the eighth head coach at the New Zealand club, brings an experienced head having coached for 14 seasons in the NRL and English Super League.

“We’re thrilled to secure a coach of Matthew’s calibre,” Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said in a statement.

“He’s had wide experience and success with a number of clubs, initially making his mark winning titles with Bradford in the English Super League and also taking Canberra and Penrith to the NRL finals a total of five times.”

Elliott takes the job from interim coach Tony Iro, who replaced sacked coach Brian McClennan late into the season.

The Warriors reportedly chased Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy, as well as other NRL coaches, before settling on Elliott.

“While we have spoken to a number of contenders, Matthew consistently impressed us every time we met him with his total vision of how our football program should be structured and run,” Scurrah said.

“Through his long association with the game as a player and especially as a coach, he appreciates as much as anyone just what’s required to achieve the standards we are striving for.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthew as head coach to shape our football department to enable us to become a consistent threat in the NRL.

“Our ultimate goal will always be to win premierships and, in Matthew, we have secured a coach not only capable of achieving this but also with the skills and vision to build a stronger total football club.”