Paul McGregor, who helped Brad Arthur guide Parramatta to a historic grand final appearance less than two years ago, has emerged as the first coach to publicly declare his interest in the vacant job.
With Parramatta officials due to meet the management of Sharks assistant Josh Hannay on Thursday, former Dragons boss McGregor has confirmed he would be interested in returning to the Eels, ending a four-year head coaching exile.
McGregor’s pitch is fascinating: he was a consultant to Arthur during their fairytale run to the 2022 grand final, sitting alongside the Eels mentor in the coaching box when Penrith swept to their second straight title.
But after the defeat, McGregor didn’t renew his position at the club and the Eels missed the finals altogether last year, and have spluttered through the first half of this season, leading to Arthur’s sacking on Monday.
“I haven’t lost the passion for coaching and if the club is interested, I’d be happy to speak to them,” McGregor said.
McGregor already has existing relationships with senior members of the Eels squad, including Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo and Mitchell Moses, and has kept his hand in the game as Brad Fittler’s deputy with NSW in State of Origin.
Former Dragons head coach and ex-Eels consultant Paul McGregor (left) with Brad Arthur.Credit: NRL Imagery
McGregor spent more than six years at the Dragons but hasn’t thrown his hat into the ring for various other roles since, instead waiting for the right opportunity.
The Eels will step up their search for a new coach on Thursday when they meet veteran agent Chris Orr, who manages one of the leading candidates for the role in Hannay.
Hannay has been part of Craig Fitzgibbon’s staff which has nursed the Sharks to the top of the table this year. He has also helped Queensland and Billy Slater win the last two Origin series as a Maroons assistant.
Orr also manages a number of coaches without a top job, including ex-South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou, who was sacked earlier this month, Sydney Roosters assistant Justin Holbrook, Rabbitohs assistant David Furner and Benji Marshall’s Tigers deputy John Morris.
The quartet has all had head coaching experience in the NRL.
Parramatta chairman Sean McElduff and chief executive Jim Sarantinos made an audacious play to trump South Sydney to the signature of seven-time premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett, who will join the Rabbitohs on a three-year deal.
The Eels will mull over whether to pursue an experienced coach such as McGregor or Blues boss Michael Maguire, or take a punt on a younger mentor searching for their first full-time role in Hannay or Jason Ryles, who is working with Melbourne.
The last two Dally M Coach of the Year recipients – Todd Payten (Cowboys) and Andrew Webster (Warriors) – had no prior experience in an NRL top job.
Asked about the possibility of Ryles being chased by the Eels, Storm coach Craig Bellamy said: “We don’t want him to go, but it’s not very often that you get those sort of opportunities so if he wanted to go, I wouldn’t imagine we would stand in his way.
“He’s doing a really good job for us. He’s doing some defence with our ruck, but he’s also taken on the role as leadership coach and a bit in recruitment. We’re mixing things up for him.”
McElduff and Sarantinos will lead a subcommittee charged with appointing the Eels’ next full-time coach.
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