O'Brien appears the clear favourite to take the helm of the Knights after Tuesday's announcement that Nathan Brown's four-year tenure would end this season.

Formerly a long-serving deputy to Craig Bellamy at Melbourne, O'Brien is in the first season of a three-year deal at the Roosters, and club powerbrokers have reportedly reacted angrily to his interest in the Newcastle role.

But Robinson told the media on Friday that he had no objection to O'Brien applying for what would be his first head-coaching role.

"I think he's obviously ambitious and wants the role and I will support him in that," Robinson said.

"That's what head coaches are there for.

"We are there to develop and progress, and he is good enough for the job ... he's interested in it and I will support him in that.

"He's a high-quality coach. That's why I got him up here, and he has proven his credentials enough over time.

"It's up to Newcastle to decide that and for him to prove that."

It is perhaps no surprise that Robinson has empathised with O'Brien, given that he experienced a similar situation 10 years ago.

At the time, Robinson was assistant coach at the Knights but his mentor, Brian Smith, had signed to take charge of the Roosters in 2010.

Smith wanted Robinson to join him at Bondi Junction, but the latter was still under contract to the Knights for another 12 months.

Initially, Newcastle's then CEO, Steve Burraston, indicated the club was prepared to play hard-ball.

"Trent Robinson is contracted to the Newcastle Knights for 2010," Burraston said in September, 2009.

"We will not be releasing him from that contract, and I hope whoever is putting this out there understands the legal ramifications of enticing someone to break a contract.

"I don't know what action we'll take. But I know it's an illegal action to entice someone to break a contract."

At the time, Robinson said that if the Knights chose not to release him "that's their prerogative".

"They're doing what they think is in the best interests of the club, which is what they should do," he said.

Less than two weeks after Burraston indicated Robinson would have to honour his contract, the club had a change of heart.

As then Knights chairman Rob Tew said: "My personal views on this are well documented. It's not the 18th century.

"In employment, one of the most important aspects that you want in an employee is the desire to be involved.

"Once you lose that or once he indicates that desire is directed elsewhere I don't see any point in why you'd want to enforce that that individual be involved when they don't want to be involved."

Robinson left the Knights on good terms. A decade later, he has repaid the favour by clearing the way for O'Brien to depart early.

Knights chief executive Phil Gardner said on Wednesday the club would draw up a short-list of between three and five candidates to replace Brown, but given that Craig Fitzgibbon and Jason Ryles have reportedly ruled themselves out, O'Brien appears at short odds.

Brown has volunteered to act as an advisor in choosing his successor.