Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has been named on the shortlist to become the new Parramatta Eels head coach.
The Eels announced they had sacked former head coach Brad Arthur on Monday, after over a decade at the club, and have since been searching for a successor.
They currently sit just three places above bottom-placed side South Sydney Rabbitohs and have won just three games all season with the 48-16 Magic Round hammering at the hands of Melbourne Storm being the final straw for the 50-year-old.
Former Wigan Warriors star and current Eels’ assistant coach Trent Barrett has been appointed to the interim head coach position.
They had, previously, looked to sign legendary head coach Wayne Bennett, attempting to lure him to the club, but it now seems that he’s on his way to the Rabbitohs.
Therefore, Parramatta are having to look elsewhere, with The Daily Telegraph reporting that they’re ‘scouring NRL and overseas’ for a new head coach.
Reportedly, they’ve drawn up a shortlist of names they’re looking to capture, and this includes the name of Sam Burgess.
Burgess’ name has been reported as being on the shortlist by multiple publications with Wide World of Sport and Channel Nine featuring the Englishman on their 11-man shortlist as well.
The Daily Telegraph, who initially reported following Arthur’s axing, said: “The Eels’ bombshell decision has led the club to draw up a hit list of aspiring NRL coaches, including Jason Ryles, Josh Hannay, Sam Burgess, Michael Maguire, Jason Demetriou, Dean Young and Michael Ennis.”
In addition, Penrith Panthers legend Mark Geyer told his Triple M radio show this week: “The bolt from the blue would be Sam Burgess.”
Therefore, it seems that there’s some weight to the suggestions that he’s someone the Eels are looking to bring to the club.
Burgess has extensive experience in Australia, playing for Souths over two spells from 2010 to 2019, and making almost 200 appearances for them.
Following retirement, he was an assistant coach at the club, reportedly leaving due to a clash with Jason Demetriou last year.
It seems unlikely that he’d leave Warrington Wolves at this point in the season – especially since he’s currently in his debut season as a head coach. Sam Burgess has previously clarified that he has a two-year deal when asked about links to the Rabbitohs job and it would seem that there will have been no change in attitude since then.
He’s currently flying in his new job at Warrington too. They’re also in a great spot right now, looking strong in the Super League and making their way to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley next month.