Maguire on top of Eels' wish list
Date
September 15, 2013
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
SUNDAY SIN BIN
Michael Maguire has emerged as a target for Parramatta as the embattled club seeks to replace Ricky Stuart. The South Sydney coach is under contract for next year but it hasn't prevented some Eels powerbrokers from inquiring about his availability. Eels chairman Steve Sharp hinted the club may attempt to pull off a ''reverse Canberra'' and target someone under contract.
''We may have to have an interim coach for 12 months before we chase the person we want,'' he said. ''The person we want, if we don't get a suitable candidate [now], may be employed at another club at the moment. We may do what Canberra did to us, a concerted effort to entice one of those coaches to our club because they are long term and sustainable.'' However, the odds of Parramatta pulling off the Maguire coup are astronomical. At Redfern, he enjoys top-class facilities, a formidable playing roster and a level of stability far removed from the basket case that is the wooden-spooners.
It's unlikely any amount of money could tempt him across. There has also been talk of bringing back Brian Smith, potentially as a coaching director to assist a young coach such as an Andrew Dunemann. The more likely outcome is for Roosters assistant Jason Taylor, who would be a popular choice with Eels fans, to take up the gig.
