Eels look at Flanagan but Stuart a near certainty
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
22 Jul, 2012 03:00 AM
SHANE FLANAGAN has emerged as a bolter for the Parramatta coaching job if Ricky Stuart turns it down.
Stuart's manager John Fordham met Eels officials on Friday and the directors held a board meeting yesterday to discuss the replacement for Stephen Kearney. Fox Sports commentators last night claimed the NSW Origin coach had signed with Parramatta, but Eels chief executive Bob Bentley denied that any deal with Stuart - or anyone else - had been done and said they had not reached an agreement. Unless there is a hitch in negotiations, it is likely Stuart will put pen to paper in the next few days.
''We're in discussions with Ricky and other candidates but we haven't put pen to paper at this point in time,'' he said. ''Talks will continue over the next 24 to 48 hours. We might be in a position early next week to make some announcement in that regard.'' Kearney's assistant, Brad Arthur, was last night installed as caretaker coach for the rest of the season with Wentworthville's Brett Cook his assistant.
Having met with Stuart's manager, Bentley felt the club offered the NSW coach the challenge he craved.
''The sort of things they were looking for in a club, Parramatta has good appeal for them. A strong leagues club and financial backing, good playing roster and obviously the resources around the structure we've currently got. It ticks the boxes in that regard.''
The Eels are in the process of putting together an offer they hope will prevent him from joining Canberra or staying on as boss of the Blues. The developments come as Kearney's predecessor, Daniel Anderson, claimed the coaching job ''is not a poisoned chalice'' and said a swift turnaround in the club's fortunes was possible.
The Sun-Herald can reveal that, should the Eels and Stuart not come to terms, one of the fallback options is Cronulla coach Flanagan. Other candidates including Jason Taylor, Mick Potter and former assistant Matt Cameron will be considered, but Flanagan could be the wildcard. Melbourne's Craig Bellamy is also believed to have been mentioned among Eels directors.
Flanagan only recently agreed to a contract extension at the Sharks, but it hasn't stopped the Eels from putting him on their shortlist. The 46-year-old played 33 games for Parramatta before joining their coaching staff when injury forced him into retirement. Given the ink has only just dried on his contract renewal, it's unlikely the Sharks will let him go without a fight. The Eels are desperate to get an experienced mentor to replace Kearney and could offer Flanagan a much more lucrative financial package.
Anderson, who was controversially punted to make way for Kearney, denied the next man appointed was on a hiding to nothing. ''It's not a poisoned chalice,'' he said yesterday. ''I never considered it a poisoned chalice. I considered it a privilege.''
Anderson guided the Eels to the 2009 grand final where they lost to a Melbourne outfit rorting the salary cap. He was axed at the end of the next season with a year left on his contract and the Eels have subsequently tumbled further down the table following Kearney's appointment.
Anderson has maintained a dignified silence since, refusing to be critical of the club he always dreamed of coaching and still supports.
Asked if he felt for Kearney, Anderson replied: ''I don't wish that upon Steve nor anyone. Unfortunately that's part of the employment, but not a nice part of the employment, that's for sure. Coaches go with their eyes wide open. They know there's going to be pressure and you hope it doesn't end badly.
''You know if there is a lack of success it will be on your shoulders. I don't think any coach would absolve themselves. I certainly wouldn't either.'' Anderson, a commentator with ABC Radio, said factors such as fan expectation and media scrutiny made the Eels role a unique challenge. Asked who should be the next full-time coach, he said: ''I won't speculate. But I think something is well and truly down the track. I don't think it's a position you lobby for. I think they had a plan B the whole time.''
