Eels say goodbye to long-time boss
Very few NRL coaches get the chance to stay in one job for a decade. That’s exactly what Brad Arthur has done with Parramatta. The South Sydney native first took charge of Eels back in 2012 as interim manager. He then was appointed as permanent boss in 2014. After ten years, his time with Parramatta is over.
“The Parramatta Eels have this afternoon informed Brad Arthur that his tenure as Head Coach has ended, effective immediately,” the club said via a statement.
“It was the view of the Board and CEO that the progress of our NRL team has stalled. Our goal is to win premierships and it is time for the Club to go in a new direction
“We want to thank Brad who has worked tirelessly for the Club over a 10 year period. During his time as Head Coach, the Club has played in five finals series, including a grand final in 2022.
“We wish Brad and his family the very best in the future and we are very grateful for his services to the Club.
“Trent Barrett will take control of the team as Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2024 season. We will provide a further update as we move forward to appoint a Head Coach for the 2025 season and beyond.”
Move planned for weeks
While the sacking of Brad Arthur seemed to be a reaction to the Eels suffering a devastating 48-16 loss to Melbourne Storm on Sunday, reports claim this move was planned for weeks.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed on NRL 360 that the decision to sack Arthur was in the works almost three weeks ago.
“The interesting part of this story was they’ve told me they made the decision that they were going to finish up with Brad on May 1,” he said on NRL 360.
Rothfield clarified the decision was made after Eels’ back-to-back losses in April to Dolphins and Manly Sea Eagles.
“After the Darwin debacle where they were flogged by the Dolphins, they were then touched up by Manly at Brookvale Oval. After that game the board made a decision that Brad Arthur would finish up this year,” the Daily Telegraph reporter revealed.
Next Eels manager odds
Assistant coach Trent Barrett will be the interim coach until the end of the 2024 season. However, Eels reportedly have an idea of who will lead them in 2025.
Rothfield told NRL 360 that, “The big story is that for the last three weeks privately, secretly, whatever you want to say they have been talking to Wayne Bennett and trying to wrestle him away from South Sydney to become head coach of the Eels next season.”
Bennett, 74, is the current Dolphins boss. He took over in their inaugural season in 2023. As Rothfield mentioned, he’s also in contention for the South Sydney Rabbitohs job next season.
Barrett will lead the Eels against South Sydney in this Sunday’s Magic Round match at Suncorp Stadium at 4:05pm. The betting sites have Eels as slight favourites in this one. Let’s see if Barrett can live up to the odds and stop his club’s losing streak.
