‘I couldn’t be more ready’: Hannay opens up about Eels interest
Josh Hannay has spoken about his interest in Parramatta, believing he “couldn’t be more ready” for a head coaching role after serving a long and varied apprenticeship.
The Eels are on the lookout for a
replacement for Brad Arthur, who was sacked during the week after 11 years at the helm. Interim coach Trent Barrett was coy when asked during his pre-game press conference if he sought the role on a full-time basis, and the club has promised to conduct a global search for the right candidate.
Sources with knowledge of the situation who were not permitted to speak on the record said Hannay was one of the targets on a shortlist.
His manager, Chris Orr - who also manages potential candidates Justin Holbrook, Jason Demetriou, Brian McDermott and John Morris - met with the Eels on Thursday.
“The job appeals,” Hannay told his masthead.
“I’ve purposely distanced myself from recent coaching vacancies because the job satisfaction I have here [as an assistant at Cronulla] and for the Maroons is enormous.
“I’m loath to walk away from that just for a different opportunity, but the Eels opportunity certainly appeals, that’s what I can say.
“When you look on and off the field, there’s a lot of good things happening.
“There’s a lot of potential for growth, there’s a lot of parts to that roster that excite. Off the field there’s an enormous fan base, it’s an enormously resourced club. These are all observations from a distance, but there’s a lot of things in my position that you look at on and off the field where you find it’s a pretty appealing and attractive job.”
The Eels sit in 14th spot and could be in danger of contending for the wooden spoon if they lose to the Rabbitohs on Saturday.
However, Hannay believes the Parramatta roster is in good shape.
“What stands out is the halves,” he said. “You look at [Dylan] Brown and [Mitchell] Moses, they are as good a halves combination as you could hope for stepping into that position.
“In and around that there’s some young talent with Blaize [Talagi], J’Maine Hopgood is on the fringes of Origin, some strong outside backs.
“From the outside looking in, there’s a lot of parts to that roster that do look appealing.”
Hannay has had stints as an interim head coach at the Sharks and the Cowboys, as well as traditional assistant roles, including currently being Billy Slater’s right-hand man for the Maroons.
Des Hasler had also earmarked Hannay as his successor at Manly, only for the premiership-winning coach to be sacked in favour of Anthony Seibold.
“The one thing Des did, and I would like to think Parramatta will be the same in their search for a coach, is Des did his homework,” he said.
“He spoke to people I had worked with and alongside to help him form that opinion; that opinion didn’t come from nowhere.
“I’d like to think Parramatta will go down a similar path with their search for a head coach.”
Hannay is contracted to the Sharks until the end of 2026, although head coach Craig Fitzgibbon wouldn’t stand in his way if a top job presented itself. Asked if he was ready to become a head coach, Hannay said: “Do you truly know if you’re ready until you sit in the chair?
“I feel like, given the path I have taken, I couldn’t be more ready. The big question would be, if Parramatta is interested, if they do their due diligence and homework, that question would be answered for them. They wouldn’t have to answer it.”
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Meanwhile, Barrett said he was better for his previous experiences as a former Canterbury and Manly head coach.
“Plenty, certainly a hell of a lot from the previous jobs, and I’ve certainly learnt a lot since I’ve been here for the past 18 months,” Barrett said.
“There’s bits and pieces you pick up and things I would certainly do different. I’m excited about the challenge for the rest of the year.”
Josh Hannay has purposely distanced himself from recent coaching opportunities. However, the top job at Parramatta is a different proposition.
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