Brian Smith released in 2007

[Mzilikazi]

You have a new club joining the competition in 2007 and a number of good youngsters of contract at the end of 2006. Get a new coach in early and let him talk with the players he wants before the June 30 deadline rather than wait until the season has ended and the young players have all gone. Smithy is the ultimate professional and would take this in his stride. He pretty much knew this would be the last roll of the dice for him. This saves a lot of f**king around behind the scenes and speculation which causes more problems - something Manly have witnessed recently.

By no means am I setting Manly up as something to aspire to!

What you say has a certain logic but I'm afraid that no matter how "professional" the person is, they are still flesh and blood. I'm not sure I share your confidence that a man put into the position that Smith has been can shrug it off and continue as though it's business as usual.

Would you in a similar situation?

 

[JessEel]

and Schwarz can play fullback

helen or jessica? ;-) :lol:

 

[The Colonel]

By no means am I setting Manly up as something to aspire to!

What you say has a certain logic but I'm afraid that no matter how "professional" the person is, they are still flesh and blood. I'm not sure I share your confidence that a man put into the position that Smith has been can shrug it off and continue as though it's business as usual.

Would you in a similar situation?

It is better than not knowing where your position lies and having to deal with rumour and innuendo surrounding where you stand. Smithy is one of the most professional coaches in League and I don't think his attitude would change because he knows he is leaving. He is proud of what he has acheived with Parramatta despite not winning a premiership and I'm sure he will bear no grudges. Had it been all behind closed doors behind his back than I'm sure it would be different.

I've been called into the office and handed a redundancy package with six weeks still to fulfill my obligations. I worked right up until the last day even after taking leave I had planned well in advance. I was gutted but I also take pride in what I do and would rather leave an impression of being professional rather than petty.

 

[Stagger eel]

helen or jessica? ;-) :lol:

there might be a couple of people that don't get that comment

 

[The Colonel]

Even title won't save Smith
Brent Read
November 17, 2005
PARRAMATTA coach Brian Smith will spend next year as the NRL's dead man walking after being told the 2006 season will be his last at the club - even if the Eels win the premiership.

Chief executive Denis Fitzgerald confirmed last night Smith had been informed his contract would not be extended, ensuring his 10th year at Parramatta will be his last.

"We won't be extending his contract beyond 2006," Fitzgerald said.

"The only thing we're saying is next year will be his 10th year. We have determined that could be time for a change after a long and successful period."

Smith, who is third in terms of games coached behind only the Wests Tigers' Tim Sheens and Brisbane's Wayne Bennett, has drawn criticism for his inability to transform that durability into premierships - the one major honour missing on his resume.

In his 18 seasons in the NRL, Smith has presided over three grand-final appearances - two with St George (1992 and 1993) and one with Parramatta (2001).

Each time he has walked away empty-handed.

Last season was one of the most disappointing finales in his stint at Parramatta with the Eels winning the minor premiership only to be eliminated before the grand final.

Smith, who began his career at Illawarra in 1984 and spent time in England with Bradford and Hull, was unavailable for comment last night.

However, Fitzgerald rejected suggestions Smith would be in an untenable position next season, and claimed the Eels could still fire despite knowing their coach was on the outer.

"Of course it can (work), just like other coaches who have been told," he said.

"There's no problem. Brian is a professional. We're a professional club and we'll continue to work. There's nothing new about people being told (they're going) and working as well as they ever have."

Sheens, who led the Tigers to the premiership this season, is likely to be at the top of Parramatta's shopping list.

The master coach is off contract at the end of 2006, although the Tigers have made it clear they will move heaven and earth to re-sign him.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17270249%255E2722,00.html

 

[The Colonel]

Eels decide it's time to change: no new contract for Smith
By Greg Prichard
November 17, 2005

No new deal ... Eels to cut coach Brian Smith.
Photo: Simon Alekna

Parramatta have decided next year will be Brian Smith's last as coach of the team.

The club's board and management met last week, deciding Smith won't be reappointed once his contract runs out at the end of 2006.

Smith has been told of the decision and will get on with his one last shot at coaching the Eels to a premiership in what will be his 10th year in charge.

Parramatta began off-season training this week.

Two days after they were stunningly eliminated 29-0 by North Queensland in a grand final qualifier in September, Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald told the Herald Parramatta planned to make a decision on whether Smith would be offered a new contract beyond '06 before next season began. Indications then were the club would decide to go with someone new and that is how it has turned out.

Fitzgerald last night confirmed the decision had been made, explaining the club thought it "time for a change".

"I can confirm that next year will be Brian's last here as coach," he said.

"It [10 years] at a club is a long term, second only to [Brisbane coach] Wayne Bennett among current coaches.

"It's been a challenging 10 years. We haven't won a premiership, but we've been in the finals most of the time and in one grand final. I think it becomes time for a change eventually, and if we were going to make a decision, we wanted to give everyone, including Brian, plenty of time to make other plans for the future."

Smith's critics have called for his sacking numerous times in recent years, but sacking him was never an option for Fitzgerald and the board.

The club is hoping its early decision will become a positive for the Eels by drawing a line in the sand, taking the heat off the coach and letting him get on with his job. It expects Smith to be even more determined to finally break through and win a premiership.

The decision will also let the club be open in its search for a new coach, but it is thought there won't be a rush to appoint anyone. Parramatta are bound to be contacted by various potential candidates for 2007. Last year's grand final-winning coach in premier league for the Eels, Jason Taylor, may be an option, too.

Former St George Illawarra star Lance Thompson is upbeat about the next phase of his career after he and the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract on Tuesday.

"I cannot wait to play football again," Thompson said last night. "Whatever team I play for next year, I'll be giving 100 per cent, like I always have."

The Dragons and Thompson had been at loggerheads over several issues before Thompson was called to appear before the board to show cause why he should not be sacked.

A confidentiality agreement signed by both parties meant Thompson, his manager, Khoder Nasser, and St George Illawarra yesterday refused to discuss the terms of the agreement under which the player's contract was terminated. But it would seem Thompson, who was contracted to the club until the end of next season, received at least a partial payment on what was left of the deal.

St George Illawarra captain Trent Barrett has dispelled talk he and Thompson did not get along, wishing the veteran forward luck in finding a new club.

Barrett, who this weekend finally gets the chance to regain the No.6 Australia jersey he lost to now-injured Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer in 2003, said after training in Swinton on Tuesday that he was disappointed at the way Thompson's long career with the Dragons had finished. "It's disappointing the way it has happened and I'd like to wish him all the best for whatever he does," he said.

Barrett insisted there was no problem between the players and Thompson, adding that speculation he and Thompson were not on speaking terms was wrong. "There's always been speculation and rumours but I don't know where it comes from," he said.

Barrett said he was confident of overcoming a foot injury and being in the Roos side for Saturday night's vital Tri-Nations Test against Great Britain in Hull.

With Brad Walter

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/eels-decide-its-time-to-change-no-new-contract-for-smith/2005/11/16/1132016866038.html

 

[walker smith]

I am thrilled that we can now sleep sound in the knowledge that the curse will soon be lifted!!

Aside from personal opinions on Smith, I think the club has made the right move in ending speculation early.

"You have a new club joining the competition in 2007 and a number of good youngsters of contract at the end of 2006. Get a new coach in early and let him talk with the players he wants before the June 30 deadline rather than wait until the season has ended and the young players have all gone"

The Colonel is spot on here...the other fact is that brian has been there ten years so this is not a mere change, it is a generational shift and we can use the coming year to ensure it is all done properly....who knows? Perhaps with the knowledge of "no tomorrows" Brian may relax a bit and stop second guessing....it may actually help the success of the team!

There is a sports commentator in the US called Bill Simmons who uses the term "Kitchen sink" games, to describe those games where teams throw everything at a supposed make or break game....maybe next year will be Brian's "kitchen sink" season....

 

[JessEel]

there might be a couple of people that don't get that comment

:lol:
but there will be several that do!!

 

[NorthShoreEel]

i thought u parra fans would be happy with this news but ur not u love B/S u blokes sux & u deserve B/S & so does ur club & by the way u have nothing to worry about if u win the G/F next year because u wont come anywhere near it u will be down the bottom with the warriors where all SCUM belong !!! .

Why would you waste your 3 minutes of internet time for the week on the only PC in Batemans Bay, writing a post that proves how geniused you are?

You should spend your 3 minutes attempting to learn something - spelling may be a good start?

By the way, do you find it quicker to type with 2 extra fingers?

Do you know, they were considering Batemans Bay for the remake of Deliverance? Problem was, they couldnt find any locals to play the "normal" people.:-({|= (This is the closest thing they have to a banjo on here)

 

[Mzilikazi]

I've been called into the office and handed a redundancy package with six weeks still to fulfill my obligations. I worked right up until the last day even after taking leave I had planned well in advance. I was gutted but I also take pride in what I do and would rather leave an impression of being professional rather than petty.

That would have been tough and good on you for your response. However, 12 months is a little longer than 6 weeks and it will also be conducted under intense scrutiny.

There are some of the things that are bound to happen in the next 9-12 months (some by your own admission):

1. Smith will be seeking other employment and/or beginning to plan and plot his next frontier.

2. The new coach will begin to increasingly assert himself and will make decisions about 2006 players going forward that Smith might not agree with.

For mine I can't see how the next 12 months aren't going to be incredibly unsettled. It's a common maxim in business, when the old CEO moves on, make sure he moves on and doesn't hang around like a bad smell to haunt the next bloke.

All of a sudden there's an aroma out Parramatta way that isn't just the river!

(yeah yeah, I know that Manly has its fair share of rotting corpses fouling up the place!)

 

[The Colonel]

That would have been tough and good on you for your response. However, 12 months is a little longer than 6 weeks and it will also be conducted under intense scrutiny.

There are some of the things that are bound to happen in the next 9-12 months (some by your own admission):

1. Smith will be seeking other employment and/or beginning to plan and plot his next frontier.

2. The new coach will begin to increasingly assert himself and will make decisions about 2006 players going forward that Smith might not agree with.

For mine I can't see how the next 12 months aren't going to be incredibly unsettled. It's a common maxim in business, when the old CEO moves on, make sure he moves on and doesn't hang around like a bad smell to haunt the next bloke.

All of a sudden there's an aroma out Parramatta way that isn't just the river!

(yeah yeah, I know that Manly has its fair share of rotting corpses fouling up the place!)

That is your take on it. If things go as what I have been told however I doubt very much the problems you suggest will occur......

 

[swoop]

It is better than not knowing where your position lies and having to deal with rumour and innuendo surrounding where you stand. Smithy is one of the most professional coaches in League and I don't think his attitude would change because he knows he is leaving. He is proud of what he has acheived with Parramatta despite not winning a premiership and I'm sure he will bear no grudges. Had it been all behind closed doors behind his back than I'm sure it would be different.

I've been called into the office and handed a redundancy package with six weeks still to fulfill my obligations. I worked right up until the last day even after taking leave I had planned well in advance. I was gutted but I also take pride in what I do and would rather leave an impression of being professional rather than petty.

Does it matter??? He hasn't been able to win a GF in 10 years!!!! Can't see too much changing.

One concern I would have if I was a Parramatta fan: With the GC coming back to the NRL will current Parramatta players who's contracts expire in 2006 be tempted to go elsewhere not knowing who the coach is for 2007???

 

[Bigfella]

It's pretty simple: professional rugby league coaching is as high profile a job you can do in this country. There are also very limited opportunities to do the job. Even if you doubted BS's professionalism and integrity to perform to the best of his ability (which would be a huge mistake itself) then basic selfinterest would at least dictate that he would do as good a job as possible with a view to securing employment elsewhere. There will be no issue of BS taking his eye off the prize. He actually wants to win a comp for Parra more than we do.

 

[Stagger eel]

Does it matter??? He hasn't been able to win a GF in 10 years!!!! Can't see too much changing.

One concern I would have if I was a Parramatta fan: With the GC coming back to the NRL will current Parramatta players who's contracts expire in 2006 be tempted to go elsewhere not knowing who the coach is for 2007???

the decision on who will be coach could be made as early as January and will work close to Smithy throughout the season.

 

[The Colonel]

Does it matter??? He hasn't been able to win a GF in 10 years!!!! Can't see too much changing.

Ten years since your last. Can't see much happening on that side of the ledger with your mob either especially with all the whinging going on behind the scenes....

 

[swoop]

the decision on who will be coach could be made as early as January and will work close to Smithy throughout the season.

Do you think they will announce a new coach by then? I doubt it!! It would be destablising and what happens if by some miracle Parramatta win the 2006 GF?

Do you sack a premiership winning coach??

 

[The Colonel]

Do you think they will announce a new coach by then? I doubt it!! It would be destablising and what happens if by some miracle Parramatta win the 2006 GF?

Do you sack a premiership winning coach??

Can you read? If you have a look back through the posts in this thread it will give you a clue..... then again I would have my doubts still.

 

[swoop]

Ten years since your last. Can't see much happening on that side of the ledger with your mob either especially with all the whinging going on behind the scenes....

How long has it been for your mob? BTW Manly wouldn't persist with the same coach if he hasn't delivered. But it seems you are happy with mediocrity!!

 

[The Colonel]

How long has it been for your mob? BTW Manly wouldn't persist with the same coach if he hasn't delivered. But it seems you are happy with mediocrity!!

So we'll expect to see the back of Dessy than this year too?

 

[Stagger eel]

Do you think they will announce a new coach by then? I doubt it!! It would be destablising and what happens if by some miracle Parramatta win the 2006 GF?

Do you sack a premiership winning coach??

it would be the right thing to do!..look there is some more to this than what people think, I have sneaking suspicion that there may be little more on Brians mind then getting his next gig but I also wouldn't completely rule out the prospects of a coaching co-ordinator role.

regardless of whether we win a comp or not 10 years is a long time and we need a fresh change even if it means releasing a premiership winning coach.