Brad Arthur may withdraw from Parramatta coaching race because of in-fighting
BRAD Arthur is considering withdrawing interest in the Parramatta job after the Eels' fragmented board descended into a rabble by opposing chairman Steve Sharp's plan to sign the Manly assistant.
In the latest
Fawlty Towers episode at Parramatta, Sharp's move to end a month-long search for Ricky Stuart's successor collapsed on Tuesday night when a boardroom faction opposed his recommendation to secure Arthur.
Arthur was expected to oust Jason Taylor for the NRL's toughest coaching job, but Parramatta's warring directors failed to reach a resolution.
Sharp's failure to secure the requisite support to install Arthur can only further sour boardroom relations in Parramatta's
Family Feud.
Arthur may yet be appointed as Parramatta coach next season but the stalemate underlines why a frustrated Sharp last month labelled internal factions "terrible and ludicrous".
Now Arthur could be the latest coach to walk away from the Parramatta post.
The political stand-off threatens to cost the embattled Eels dearly, with Manly powerbrokers upping the ante yesterday by offering a contract extension to Arthur.
It is understood Arthur, who is well respected by Manly players, is now considering staying loyal to beaten the grand finalists.
Arthur has the strident support of Eels players, Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne personally advised the board to sign him, but at least one delegate defied Sharp by pushing for ex-Souths coach Taylor.
The latest setback leaves the strife-torn Eels without a coach less than a month before pre-season, a disastrous scenario for a club at rock bottom after back-to-back wooden spoons.
Leading Parramatta players and officials are privately frustrated at the board's dithering.
Just a fortnight ago, former Eels coach Brian Smith failed to secure enough votes for a coaching director's role, while Daniel Anderson rejected overtures to replace Stuart next season.
It seems the Eels are taking a scattergun approach, with legendary Parramatta lock Ray Price interviewed on grand final day despite retiring after the club's last title win 27 years ago.
Only yesterday Sharp had nominated Arthur the ideal candidate to haul Parramatta out of the doldrums. He had a six-week stint as Eels caretaker following Steve Kearney's sacking last year and has been compared to Souths coach Michael McGuire with his professional approach.
"I believe the club should be coached by Brad Arthur in 2014," Sharp said before last night's board meeting.
"I think he is the right fit for our club.
"Some people out there think 'JT' (Taylor) should be coach but I would like to think the club can show some unity and get behind the chairman.
"The coach is the last piece of the jigsaw and Brad fits the bill.
"We will be having a board meeting and I will be putting on the table that Brad should be coach."
Asked what would happen if rolled in the boardroom, Sharp said: "It would be back to the drawing board.
"We won't be discussing anyone else other than the recommended candidate."
With Sharp's worst fears realised, Parramatta's footballing soap opera rolls on.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e-of-in-fighting/story-fniabjcr-1226735358992
No quotes from Arthur though.
One is an assistant at Manly and the other at Roosters. Bring on the top 8 *clap* *clap* *clap*