Respective Origin coaches Billy Slater and Michael Maguire may go head-to-head with more than just interstate rivalries on the line as Parramatta prepares to include the pair on a short-list of potential head coaching options.
The Eels have begun their search to find Brad Arthur’s replacement after parting ways with their longest serving coach on Monday, having missed out on their preferred candidate in seven-time premiership-winner Wayne Bennett.
They are now set to cast their net far and wide as they begin to identify and then interview candidates. As part of that process, it is expected that the Eels will reach out to Slater to gauge his interest in transitioning into a head coaching role for the first time.
They face a challenge to convince Slater to be involved.
The Dragons expressed an interest in talking to Slater last season for their vacant coaching position but that was shut down before St George Illawarra even had a chance to directly speak with the former star fullback.
The Eels have put together a committee led by chief executive Jim Sarantinos and head of football Mark O’Neill – board members will also be involved – to come up with their next head coach.
Maguire is considered to be the most credentialed coach on the market and was in the mix for a South Sydney return had Bennett not accepted the Rabbitohs’ offer.
He is known to be keen on becoming a head coach again after last taking charge of the Tigers in 2022, although any pursuit of him is likely to be made more difficult given he will be in the middle of an Origin series.
It seems hard to believe Maguire would make himself available for interview while in camp with the Blues, leaving the Eels with a limited window over the next two months to speak with the premiership-winner.
Since departing the Wests Tigers two years ago, Maguire has maintained an interest in coaching via an assistant role with Ricky Stuart at Canberra and his job at the helm of the Kiwis.
However, he stopped away from both roles this year to focus on the Blues, having replaced Brad Fittler as NSW coach.
Aside from Maguire and Slater, the Eels are also expected to reach out to Jason Ryles, Justin Holbrook, Josh Hannay and potentially Michael Ennis.
Ex-Wallaby coach Michael Cheika, who is close to come of the Parramatta players – most notably Mitchell Moses – through his involvement with the Lebanon national team is also being considered.
Slater has been widely tipped as a long-term NRL coach, having made a stunning impression as coach of Queensland over the past two years.
He has so far resisted the urge to get into full-time coaching, preferring to concentrate on his role with the Maroons and his media commitments with the Nine Network.
The prospect of one day replacing Craig Bellamy at the Storm has also been touted as a potential landing spot for Slater, although he has shown no real interest in becoming a head coach to this point.
The Eels would need to mount a compelling argument to convince him to uproot his family, move to Sydney and leave his job at the Maroons. Even a compelling argument may not be enough.
The Eels’ interest in the pair adds another layer to the rivalry between the pair, who know each other through their time at the Storm. Maguire was part of Melbourne’s coaching staff when Slater was playing.
The pair will square off for the first time in the Origin arena next month with NSW and Queensland naming their squads by Monday.
Replies
He basically said this squad needs an experienced coach, he said Madge or Holbrook.
He's right.
They are experienced. Taylor has had a lot of experience as head of football North Sydney I believe or something along those lines.
Greatest?
That's a stretch and based on his opinion it's safe to scratch Madge.
You pick an ex nrl coach for mine and someone who is intelligent/ able to improve us defence wise and who has a good rapport with his players. You ask them!
For me you ask the ex captains / senior players of Wests for Madge and Titans for Holbrook.
Who do we think is sharper between the wars here?
I always rate coaches who do well with less cattle!!
Agree. Made is a hard nose and will rub ppl the wrong way.
Keep the logo
Scrap everything else
THROW THE HOUSE AT SLATER!!!
slater has come out and said he is committed to qld
Maguire is hopeless Togets we're a basket case under him.
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