Parramatta has moved one step closer to deciding their next head coach, with the club finalising a shortlist of candidates to potentially replace Brad Arthur.
The club opted to sack the 49-year-old last month following a difficult period, ending a lengthy tenure in the blue and gold that included a grand final appearance in 2022.
Eels officials have now reportedly landed on five options to replace Arthur next year, with the club to begin conducting interviews in the coming weeks.
Speaking on Nine’s 100% Footy, senior reporter Danny Weidler revealed the internal list which is headlined by former Wallabies and Argentina rugby coach, Michael Cheika.
“Coaches were basically informed that these are the names we’re hearing who are going to be on that list of people that they want to talk to – Jason Ryles, Josh Hannay, Michael Maguire, Trent Barrett and Michael Cheika,” he said.
“The slightly interesting one there is Cheika, given he’s had some experience in rugby league, but not necessarily the type of experience you’d expect to run a club.”
Cheika has previously coached Lebanon in rugby league and has a rugby league background, including spending time as a consultant at the Roosters.
Ryles appears to be the early favourite given his lengthy apprenticeship under both Trent Robinson and Craig Bellamy over the years. The former NSW and Kangaroos front-rower knocked back a move to the Dragons year.
“Jason Ryles at the moment is the coach who I’m hearing is ahead of the pack – he will crawl over broken glass to get this Parramatta job, he really wants it,” Weidler said.
“He has to get the clearance from Melbourne, but I think it would be unfair if Melbourne didn’t give him a clearance in this situation.”
One of the dark horses for the job is Cronulla assistant Hannay, who had a limited chance on an interim basis in 2021 and is highly regarded within NRL circles.
Sharks legend Paul Gallen believes he would be up to the task.
“He’s a great coach – I think he would be ready for sure,” Gallen said.
“I don’t know whether he wants to leave the Sharks. I’m not sure about his aspirations at the moment, but I know he’d do a great job.”
Phil Gould believes the candidates are all in with a shot, but again claimed there were still plenty of other issues facing the Eels.
“There’s a lot of things that Parramatta has got to work on into their future,” he said.
“I still say, just changing the head coach isn’t gonna get it fixed.
“They’re a good group of blokes – some have got some experience and some have been in the game a long time. They are probably the best of what’s available.”