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Suspended NRL coach Shane Flanagan could have his ban ended early by the Australian Rugby League Commission if a vacancy opens up later this year.

The suspended Shane Flanagan could be welcomed back into the NRL head coaching fraternity early if a vacancy appears later this year.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys opened the door for the former Cronulla premiership coach, who is serving the final year of a ban due to expire on November 1.

Flanagan was suspended until the beginning of the 2022 season for breaching conditions related to his one-year suspension in 2014 for involvement in the Sharks' peptide scandal.

He's indicated a desire to return to head coaching in the NRL and it appears he has the ear of V'landys if a position opens up later this season.

"If Shane Flanagan was to make an application at some point we would look at it and give him due process and natural justice," he said.

"Especially if it was late in his penalty ... (if it) was probably a month to go, well we may be a bit lenient and allow him to take up that position and not rob him of that opportunity.

"I think Shane Flanagan has served his penalty, he's been very good in serving the penalty.

"I'll let other people judge his calibre of coach and his ability of coach but I think his record speaks for itself, he has won a premiership, there's not many that can say that they're a premiership-winning coach."

Flanagan has already been linked to several clubs including the Sharks, where current coach John Morris is seeking to extend his contract beyond this year.

Flanagan said he hadn't been in contact with Cronulla though and said any speculation about him replacing the rookie coach was unfair on Morris.

"I've had regular contact with Peter V'landys and (NRL CEO) Andrew Abdo, but there's been no application for me to come back early," he said on SEN Radio.

"I want to coach in the NRL again, but there's no jobs available.

"If one does come up then I'll deal with it then."