NRL: Andrew Webster linked with Parramatta Eels coaching job
With the Parramatta Eels suddenly firing Brad Arthur on Monday evening, there is speculation that New Zealand Warriors coach Andrew Webster could be on the club’s radar as a replacement.
Arthur had been at the helm of Parramatta for more than a decade. However, the franchise has gone titleless since 1986 and has a record of three wins and seven losses in 2024.
With NRL bookies already paying $151 for the Eels to win the NRL Premiership this year, the club’s management had had enough.
No long-term replacement is lined up for Arthur yet, but rumours are flying around potential candidates. The likes of Webster, Wayne Bennett and Jason Ryles have all been discussed to take over from interim coach Trent Barrett in 2025.
Eels looking at all options, says CEO Sarantinos
Parramatta’s initial plan was to poach Bennett from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Ahead of sacking Arthur, the club had been working behind the scenes to lure the seven-time premiership-winning coach away from his contract with Souths in 2025.
It seems this has been unsuccessful, with Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos now saying they are after a quick-fix coach instead.
“What we’ll be looking for is what we think is the best coach for our club,” he said on Tuesday.
“We think we’ve still got a really strong roster. We think we’ve got a roster that will appeal to any incoming coach and we want someone who’s been involved in a winning program and someone who’s been around a high-performing culture.
“Whether that’s an experienced coach or someone who might be picking up their first opportunity as a head coach, we’ll identify what we think is best for our club.”
Sarantinos added: “We’ve started putting a list of candidates.”
Potential candidates to coach the Eels in 2025
Some of the candidates that could be on the Eels’ hit-list for 2025 include:
- Jason Ryles
- Michael Maguire
- Josh Hannay
- Andrew Webster
- Todd Payten
- Jason Demetriou
- Justin Holbrook
- Blake Green
James Graham, co-host of the NRL 360 show, thinks Parramatta’s best bet is to pursue Webster, despite the fact he has just signed a four-year extension with the New Zealand Warriors.
“If they were going to throw Wayne Bennett money around, they wouldn’t need to put Wayne Bennett money to Andrew Webster, but they could afford to buy him out of his contract,” reasoned Graham.
Former Roosters player Braith Anasta disagrees, however, stating that Webster is happy at the Warriors and has a strong relationship with the franchise. Instead, he believes Ryles is the best option for the Eels.
“I think he will be the coach for a number of reasons,” argued Anasta.
“He has been waiting in the wings for a while. He has done his time. He has done his apprenticeship. He has been at the Roosters. He has witnessed success. He has played at the highest level.
“I think he is the one they should go for and he is the one that will get it.”
Sarantinos has stressed that the club is looking for a quick turnaround on the decision so it can get back to focusing on the 2024 NRL season.
