Michael Maguire has ruled himself out of contention for the Parramatta Eels coaching job.
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos has confirmed that Maguire has declared his primary focus is on coaching the NSW State of Origin team, of which he contracted for both the 2024 and 2025 series.
Maguire had been on a shortlist of coaching options to replace Brad Arthur at Parramatta.
However, in the wake of a conversation with the Blues coach in the last 48-hours, Parramatta have decided to move on without the former Rabbitohs premiership-winning coach.
“We reached out to Madge (Maguire) post Origin I regarding his interest in the head coaching job at the Eels and he shared that his sole focus is on the NSW Origin team,” Sarantinos told News Corp.
“We respect his position but our process will continue and therefore he will not be part of it moving forward.”
It’s understood the Eels weren’t prepared to wait until after the State of Origin series is over – following game three on July 18 – to decide who their next coach will be.
They are eager to appoint a new coach in order to commence the club’s new direction and first change in leadership in 11 years.
The Eels will now focus on an interview process that includes coaching candidates Josh Hannay, Jason Ryles, Trent Barrett, Michael Cheika and Brian McDermott.
It’s understood meetings with each of the candidates will begin this week.
Maguire’s decision to pour his entire focus on saving the series with NSW has emerged in the wake of Barrett, the Eels interim coach, confirming his interest in taking charge following previous NRL coaching stints with Manly and Canterbury.
Replies
That's a relief, no matter what BA had to go but replacing him with madge would have been a sideways movement, he is too much like BA.
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Brad never brought the baseball club out! Maybe a good dodge of Madge cause the princess and fairies of today's can't handle old school flogging
Yep that's good news
There'll be a few on here disappointed. I was ambivalent on Madge. I keep saying this will come down to Ryles and Hannay. Personally I'd like to know more about the Pommy coaches.
I'm with you Mutts, Ryles will be a foregone conclusion and I'm guessing announced after the Roosters game during the bye week.
Mcdermotts been the driver of the knights improvement, I hope the club affords him a genuine opportunity to put forward his case.
Need to be 100% commited to the job, down to ryles hannay and maybe barrett depending on how he goes in next few weeks. Seems to be a lot more composed this time around and has learnt from all the errors at dogs manly I'd say
Well that's screwed us then.
Ryles is another Storm assistant coach and the last two worked so well for us.
Hannay is just a BA clone. He has a very average coaching record and as the Sharks defence coach, he is as poor defensively as Bushie was.
Chieka is a yawnion coach and is definitely not what we need.
Out of all that's left, McDermott is the best option which means it won't be him.
Looks like Ryles or Hannay will get the gig and that will be another 10 years of failure.
Well done Parra.
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