Grothe, Kenny eye coaching gig

[El Diablo]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,24577183-5003409,00.html

Grothe, Kenny eye coaching gig

By Steve Mascord | October 30, 2008 11:00pm

THEY are two of the greatest players ever to wear the blue and gold of Parramatta - and they want to come back. Early next week, Eels greats Eric Grothe and Brett Kenny will formally apply to join the NRL team's coaching staff, desperate to put "some soul" back into the once-proud club.

The former Test stars, who played 407 club games between them, are adamant they can help return the western Sydney powerhouse to its glory days of the 1980s.

Grothe, who earns a living as a builder, said he would be happy to work under whoever is chosen as the new head coach, as long as he can instil some long-lost heart to his beloved club.

"I think the place just needs a little bit of soul," Grothe told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

"All the guys they're looking at (for the head coach role), their credentials are probably pretty good and, technically, they've got the rugby league-speak. (But) how technical can you get?

"We've got to get the ball over the line, we've got to get up the other end of the field."

Grothe said his experience during the Eels' glory days of premiership wins would be a valuable asset.

"I was lucky enough to be around some people there when it all became successful," he said.

"You know what it takes to be successful and be part of that."

Kenny, a sales rep, said he himself would love to be head coach of his former club, but would also be happy to work under anyone else, including favourite Daniel Anderson.

The 1986 Golden Boot winner, who coached Penrith to the 2006 Jersey Flegg premiership, said he had already held talks with Parra- matta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald about returning to the blue- and-gold fold.

"I know Daniel Anderson, he was at Parramatta when I was there," Kenny said.

"He's obviously had a lot of success as a coach. It would be good to work under Daniel Anderson.

"I wouldn't have a problem with that. I'm sure Eric wouldn't either.

"We're looking at the situation and saying, 'They haven't won a competition since 1986', and we believe they could probably do with some former players involved.

"I've spoken to Denis Fitzgerald about it."

Fitzgerald last night confirmed the conversation, but said that the club was looking only for a head coach at present.

Fitzy actually spoke with them about it :shock:

i don't know how much help they'd be but i can't see how they'd do any harm. maybe they could get some passion into the boys

 

[Angry_eel]

hmmm i doubt they'll get it but who knows, if Fitz isn't the only one incharge of hiring atm they might actually have a chance.

 

[hindmarsh4pm]

Yes come on fitzy bring them into the club, it's good to have legends of the club around, bring back some passion into the team

 

[yy_cheng]

Bert: Hey Fitzy, can I have a word
Fitzy: Too busy, maybe 2030

 

[strider]

there's only enough moths in fitzy's wallet to pay for a head coach :lol:

 

[Stagger eel]

I was skeptical at first but the fact that EGS was involved made it more intriguing however the most important line of the story was definitely the last when Fitzy declared that he'd spoken to them but were only looking at a head coaching role at present, to me that makes this story as a non-event, at the time when the club are cutting cost all over the place, they'd be loathed to start adding people to the coaching staff when they already have 2 assistant coach's curretnly under contract. The club has even appointed an assistant for Cameron to replace Grima and Cully, so even that position is filled.

I simply can't see it happening, but it's definitely going to put Dennis under the pump when they're not appointed ala "statue gate" lol

 

[Gronk]

To avoid the Telecrap & Co launching into another tirade about our disloyalty to former players, Fitzy has no choice but to be diplomatic, thank them for their application and re-state that each application will be judged on it's merits and the board will decide on the most suitable candidate in the fullness of time.

They've got no chance in hell.

 

[Stagger eel]

To avoid the Telecrap & Co launching into another tirade about our disloyalty to former players, Fitzy has no choice but to be diplomatic, thank them for their application and re-state that each application will be judged on it's merits and the board will decide on the most suitable candidate in the fullness of time.

They've got no chance in hell.

you're right about the public perception however they've indicated that they'll work with Anderson if they had to but as Fitzy says, there's only one real appointment needed at the club and they're not prepared to take on extra coaching staff for the sake of it especially when the club has recently cut staff and are struggling financially, it simply won't happan, but I'd be interested to see what sort of public reaction this will get when the appoinmtment is made and they're not involved in the new coaching team.

 

[Twizzle]

sounds reasonable, might get some passion in there as well

chuck in Pricey and we'll really see some action

 

[hybrideel]

So are we saying here that if Anderson does get appointed that he will be told that he has no choice in who his assistants are, at least for the first year? Isn't it normally solely the decision of the head coach who the rest of the staff under him is? I know we are in a different situation with Hagan leaving early but who would want to take up the head coach position knowing you still have to use the useless hacks in the support staff for a year

 

[spiderdan]

regardless of the outcome i am just happy that a few people's egos/pride has been put aside for the interest of improving our club.

i'd love to see some of our greats be more involved in the club in some capacity.

 

[Stagger eel]

So are we saying here that if Anderson does get appointed that he will be told that he has no choice in who his assistants are, at least for the first year? Isn't it normally solely the decision of the head coach who the rest of the staff under him is? I know we are in a different situation with Hagan leaving early but who would want to take up the head coach position knowing you still have to use the useless hacks in the support staff for a year

The problem that Parra have is that both Cammo and Daisy are under contract and are currently looking after the squad on their own, they won't pay them out or put simply, they can't afford to pay them out and will more than likely stay as assistants in his first season at the club..

btw, I hardly refer Cameron as a hack, the guy has been part of our system for quite sometime and have kicked start the career of several Parra players.

 

[Parra]

It would be good to have blokes around who know what it is like to win.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

It would be good to have blokes around who know what it is like to win.

Thats why I want Anderson

 

[Tin Man 4.24]

Fitzgerald appeared on the Big Sports Breakfast this morning doing his usual 5 minute blab and TK asked him about the article.

I am paraphrasing a little here, but Fitzy said that Kenny and Grothe were no chance to coach at Parra. When asked if perhaps former club greats returning to the club could return some of the 'soul' to Parramatta, he said that there was nothing wrong at the club and that often past players did more harm than good, by bagging the club publicly.

To prove that Parra had involved ex-players Fitzy then named John Peard, Ron Hilditch and Mick Cronin as players who came back to coach the club. A good reason perhaps, not to employ ex-Eels as coaches, but definitely no excuse not to involve them in other areas, IMO.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

BTW just did some looking around.

Anderson's Stats

Coached : 186
Wins : 128
Draws : 3
Losses : 55

Win Percentage = 69%.

Daniel is 41.

If you compare that with Bellamy.

Coached : 156
Wins : 107
Draws : 0
Losses : 49

Win Percentage = 69%.

Craig is 49

Anderson's Success Rate in the ESL
2006 86% Premiership, League Leaders Trophy, World Club Challenge Winners
2006 CC 100% Winners
2007 69% Runners Up, League Leaders Trophy
2007 CC 100% Winners
2008 76% Runners Up, League Leaders Trophy
2008 CC 100% Winners

 

[Avenger]

BTW just did some looking around.

Anderson's Stats

Coached : 186
Wins : 128
Draws : 3
Losses : 55

Win Percentage = 69%.

Daniel is 41.

If you compare that with Bellamy.

Coached : 156
Wins : 107
Draws : 0
Losses : 49

Win Percentage = 69%.

Craig is 49

Anderson's Success Rate in the ESL
2006 86% Premiership, League Leaders Trophy, World Club Challenge Winners
2006 CC 100% Winners
2007 69% Runners Up, League Leaders Trophy
2007 CC 100% Winners
2008 76% Runners Up, League Leaders Trophy
2008 CC 100% Winners

Thanks Mark

Results speak for themselves. That is some record. If he doesn't get the job I will be very surprised.

PS Assuming he does, what are the chances of Lyon returning ? He was a big fan of his at St Helens.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

Thanks Mark

Results speak for themselves. That is some record. If he doesn't get the job I will be very surprised.

PS Assuming he does, what are the chances of Lyon returning ? He was a big fan of his at St Helens.

Would be interesting to see. I will never rule anything out as changing a coach is unlike anything else in the world. Having said that I get the feeling Jamie burnt a number of bridges in recent years with the club, not just with his exodus.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

BTW our "Steller Year" in 2001, our win % was about 76%. If we had won the Premiership it would have been 79%

 

[Parra Guru]

I dunno about the head coach job, but the boys could sure do with some mentors, so maybe we could employ them in that capacity.

We do need to show some spirit & pride in our club, and bringing the old boys back would be perfect IMO.