Former Canberra and Penrith mentor Matt Elliott will be unveiled as the Warriors new coach on Friday amid claims from one of his new players there’s an attitude problem at the club.

Although the Warriors remained tight-lipped on Thursday, it’s believed the 47-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal to succeed Brian McClennan who was sacked two games from the end of last season.

Elliott spent last year at the Sydney Roosters, working as Brian Smith’s assistant, but departed after the veteran coach was axed last month.

The hunt for a new coach by the Auckland-based club has seen a number of big names linked with the position including Craig Bellamy, Stephen Kearney, David Kidwell and Tim Sheens.

Long-time Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro, who coached most of the current squad at Toyota Cup level, was interviewed for the role, after taking control of the team following McClennan’s dismissal, but has now been overlooked.

Iro’s treatment had earlier prompted Warriors utility Elijah Taylor to slam the powerbrokers at the club before the Kiwi turned his attention the underperforming players.

Taylor said the process of picking a new coach had taken far too long.

“As a player you just want to know who the coach is and where you stand. I felt sorry for Tony Iro – he’s got a family to think of,” Taylor said shortly before it was revealed the role would be filled by Elliott.

“Pre-season is only three weeks away.”

Taylor, who will play for New Zealand against Australia on Saturday, said the new man would need to hit the ground running if he wanted to get a talented, but under-achieving team back on track.

A year after reaching the grand final the Warriors finished 14th and Taylor claimed the squad became lazy in the wake of their success in 2011 under Ivan Cleary.

“Some players’ attitudes were not up to standard,” Taylor said.

“I am not going to name names, but there were a lot of players coasting. Not on their toes. Not working hard on defence and that showed last year.

“Our pre-season wasn’t as hard as the year before. We paid the price for that and it showed. Teams ripped us apart.

“That cannot happen this year or we are going to get touched up every week.”