David Riccio reveals the strongest candidates for vacant Parramatta coaching position

Following the dismissal of Brad Arthur as head coach of the Parramatta Eels, the search has now commenced to find his replacement for 2025 and beyond.

Club CEO Jim Sarantinos fronted the media on Tuesday to confirm that the Eels were after a coach who “has been involved with a winning program” and a candidate who has been part of a “high performing culture”.

Based on that criteria, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes the race is down to three names.

“When you go through the list of possibles and probables, you can start to whittle it down,” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“The names that have been thrown to me are Jason Ryles, Josh Hannay and Michael Maguire.

“(Ryles and Hannay) are the two strongest names (but) Maguire is an interesting one.

“Maguire has made it no secret of his desire to try and restore pride to the NSW State of Origin team but in the background, he might get a phone call to see if he’s interested in the Eels.

“Ryles was clearly interested in the St George Illawarra Dragons job before Shane Flanagan got that gig.

“Hanny is down at the Cronulla Sharks and he’s the current Queensland State of Origin assistant coach to Billy Slater.

“I’m going to say that Josh Hannay (becomes the next Eels coach).”

Arthur ended his tenure as the longest serving coach of Parramatta (268 game) but failed to break the 38-year premiership drought.

Riccio said that the Eels would not struggle in finding Arthur’s replacement given how attractive the head coaching job is to prospective candidates.

“This is a club-defining decision which they haven’t encountered in the past,” he added.

“Every other coach understands that Parramatta are the sleeping giant of the NRL.

“It is such a plumb job because you do get an immense amount of resources and support to have success.

“This is due to the sheer size and financial strength of the football club.

“It is such an appealing job and there would be current coaches at rival clubs who wished they were available.

“It is such a big opportunity for the next head coach of Parramatta.”

Trent Barrett has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024 season. The Eels play South Sydney on Saturday night at Accor Stadium.