Michael Cheika is more determined than ever to be an NRL coach.
Having missed out on the Parramatta job – Josh Hannay and Jason Ryles appear to be locked in a two-horse race to become Brad Arthur’s successor – Cheika insists the rugby league coaching fire still burns.
“To make that change … is a huge challenge and one I’d love to master,” Cheika told Sport Con.
“Just like in the game – nothing’s given to you easily.”
Cheika was on a six-man shortlist for the Eels job along with the likes of Hannay, Ryles, assistant coach Trent Barrett and NSW coach Michael Maguire.
It is understood his initial interview was as impressive as any of the other contenders but when push came to shove, the Eels opted not to take the risk on the former Wallabies and Argentina coach, whose resume includes rugby league stints with the Sydney Roosters and Lebanon national team.
It is understood Eels officials told Cheika that they had doubts over his ability to handle the day-to-day demands of being an NRL coach, a decision that some would no doubt find bemusing given his coaching resume.
Cheika juggled the role of coaching Argentina with his commitments with Lebanon at the last rugby league World Cup.
He had two years in the French Top 14 rugby union competition, where he coached over 30 games a season and juggled the challenge of roster building with the demands of French owners, who are notorious for their flightiness and short fuses.
That wasn’t enough to impress Eels officials, who opted for the safer route of current NRL assistants Ryles and Hannay.
While Cheika was disappointed with the outcome, it hasn’t dulled his desire to challenge himself in rugby league as a head coach at some point in time.
He plans to lick his wounds and go again.
In the French league where you’re coaching up to 35 games per year you also have to deal with the prospect of relegation so I think the pressures are there every day ….. not to mention having also handled two years of coaching Waratahs and Wallabies at the same time,” Cheika said.
The Eels are expected to take at least another fortnight to make a decision on their next head coach given Hannay is now in camp with the Maroons and unable to hold his second interview with Parramatta until his state duties are over.