Parramatta have slammed reports Wayne Bennett is being considered for a coaching director role from 2025 while underlining their confidence in coach Brad Arthur.
The emphatic denial from Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos comes after reports emerged on Wednesday linking the Dolphins coach and seven-time premiership-winner to a position at the club mentoring Arthur.
“This is wrong and it has never been discussed. We’ve got no idea where it’s come from,” Sarantinos said in response.
“Brad is our coach and he leads our football program.”
Pressure is building on the Eels ahead of 2024 after a miserable season last year, where they missed finals after making the grand final in 2022.
However, the swift denial shows support for Arthur, who has been head coach at the club for a decade and is contracted until the end of 2025.
While the Eels are desperate to end the longest premiership drought in the game, Bennett has not been discussed as part of plans to deliver a title to Sydney’s west.
The role of a coaching director is similar to one held by Phil Gould at Canterbury, but requires a delicate balance of personalities and power.
Appointing an experienced mentor to oversee the club’s NRL coaching system is not part of plans for the Eels, nor do they believe it would work.
