Jim Sarantinos
CEO of the Parramatta Eels speaks to Dean Ritchie refuses to answer 2 questions
“I know our fans are frustrated but give us time, we have complete faith in our coach. We need understanding, patience and we will improve.”
This is the blunt message from Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos after the club’s horror 0-2 start to the season.
In his first interview of the NRL season, Sarantinos backed the club’s decision to allow Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard to leave, denied Dylan Brown had become a distraction and said he was “completely behind” new coach Jason Ryles.
Bulldog’s Bite posed 10 questions Eels fans wanted Sarantinos to answer about the club falling in such a heap. To his credit, Sarantinos fronted up under pressure and declined to answer just two.
Bulldog: Should you, as CEO, shoulder some blame for the first two defeats?
Sarantinos: No one at the club is shirking responsibility. My job is to support Jason, our staff and players through this period of change and ensure they feel that support at all times and have the resources they need to do their job.
Bulldog: Was letting Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard a big mistake?
JS: Those decisions were made by both Clint and Reagan and our football department together, to get the best outcome for the club moving forward as well as the players’ futures. I am comfortable that these decisions are the right ones for us as a club and are a part of the change and reset that comes with a new head coach and a change in direction.
Bulldog: Are you shocked at the poor opening two games?
JS: We’re all disappointed with the results. It’s certainly not the start we were hoping for. However, we have driven a lot of change to the football program, across coaching, support staff and playing personnel, and we know it will take some time for that to all come together.
Bulldog: What’s your message to fans?
JS: We have the most loyal fans in the NRL and I understand that they are frustrated and disappointed but we have complete faith that the change and reset of the NRL program will make us a better club and we want our fans
to come on
the journey with us.
Bulldog: Many agree the Eels can’t make the finals already?
JS: It’s only round 3 and too early for predictions. We have a number of new players to our squad, a number of young players just starting out their NRL journey and we also have some key players returning in the coming weeks. It will take some time to build cohesion in the team and our performances will improve with time.
Bulldog: Is Dylan Brown now a distraction?
JS: No. Dylan Brown has made his decision and we’re all focused on the rest of the season and making sure our performances improve.
Bulldog: How are you supporting Jason Ryles?
JS: Jason has been fantastic from the day he first walked in the door and has built a great relationship with everyone at the club. We have supported Jason in bringing together his new coaching and support staff. We are completely behind his desire to drive change for the betterment of the club and we all want to see Jason and the team succeed. He is starting out his NRL head coaching journey and many others have experienced similar challenges, so it’s important that there is understanding and patience.
Bulldog: Was losing by such a big margin to Wests Tigers, who have collected the past three wooden spoons, acceptable?
JS: (Declined to comment.)
Bulldog: Where does the club go from here?
JS: We have a game to play this weekend against the Bulldogs and that is what everyone’s focus is on. We have the utmost belief and confidence in Jason’s vision and where he’s taking our football program.
Bulldog: It would appear the 39-year wait will continue?
JS: (Declined to comment, interview concluded.)
Bulldog says
Parramatta offered very little last weekend against Wests Tigers, who have run last in the past three years.
The Eels’ energy and enthusiasm were minimal, which is unusual because a new coach normally generates vigour and spark.
Parramatta needs to find respect and quickly. The club was confident and self-assured around the exit of Gutherson and Campbell-Gillard. Any regrets now?
Let’s be fair. Parramatta has been playing without Mitch Moses, Josh Addo-Carr and Ryan Matterson. Moses is world class but could he have stopped his side conceding 88 points in two games? I doubt it.
Ryles is two games into a four-year contract and deserves time but Parramatta fans are tired of being told to wait for their next premiership.
They are fed-up with being assured their team is in a rebuilding phase. It’s been 39 years and counting.
A premiership isn’t even in the equation for the Eels. They would be more worried about claiming another gong – a wooden spoon.
