IMO, the list of candidates is pretty underwhelming, but a change, any change was long overdue.
The common factor for varying reasons, is they are all desperate for the gig or at least a start.
The likes of Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy dictate the terms of their contracts, but for rookies and the Madge Maguire's (sacked from his last two head roles )the club needs to be in full control of the contract year on year to avoid a repeat of the Arthur days.
No stock standard 3 year deals, and the likes of Jason Ryles (unproven rookie) having a long list of demands as he did when considering the St George head position.
With the new coach coming in with an already established squad, I would like to see KPI's put into every year of their contacts to safe guard ourselves. Take it or leave it.
As discribed by many, we have a board full of bankers and I highly doubt they would want to pay-out another coach for a terminated contract.
I would propose; First year- a top 8 finish, automatically triggers the second year (that's more than enough lee-way for their first season) Second year- a top 5 finish triggers the third year. Third year- No KPI required as we are in the box seat to extend or part ways. I am sure there is a better KPI model than mine, but the important thing is to be in the drivers seat from day 1. Hopefully managment is all over this already.
As I side note, the club needs to scrap all PO's in contracts to stop the position we find ourselves in with this current squad.
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Whilst I concur with having KPI's we also do not want a repeat of the coaching merry-go-round. Coaching instability never works. The club will have to show faith in whomever they choose.
I can't see any reason to rush this decision now.
Barrett is auditioning currrently. Unlikely he'll get the gig but let's see how this plays out.
Maguire is also auditioning with SOO. Let's sit back and see how he goes.
Ryles, Hannay and the rest are desperate for the gig as you say. They're not going anywhere.
I don't think we have any pressing contract issues.
Let's watch the coaching market evolve for a while and see who rises to the top.
I definitely wouldn't be rushing the decision either Mutts, but having someone in place is vital for recruitment/retension. Say in regard to Maguire as an example, can we wait 6 weeks to make a call? But in saying all of that, our hands are pretty much tied salary cap wise with this squad and off loading current contracted players the only way we can recruit. Interesting times.
I was one pushing for BA to be gone after supporting him for his entire time at the Eels but letting him go without Bennett, or someone else signed up, was dumb. Now the club is in limbo with no clear plan forward and having bankers run a professional sports team doesn't work and this is a perfect example of that, at least from the sporting side but here we are.
Moving forward, the club does need to take it's time as the longest premiership drought in history will continue on for a very long time if the club doesn't make "SMART STRATEGIC" decisions. Putting in a rookie coach is the riskiest way to go but considering who's available it will likely be our only way forward and if that is the way the club goes, KPI's will be a requirement but even if they go with a proven coach they will be required. The Eels just can't afford to have another period of doing ok at best. It's time for the club to accept nothing other than results. There is a reason the Rabbitt's got Bennett and the Eels didn't. They didn't hesitate when it was obvious but the Eels did.
Definitely top 8 needs to be a minimum but top 5 the year after is a bit much. The club are unfortunately back in a rebuilding phase as we have an ageing roster which needs to be replaced in the next season or two which could really effect us. If the Eels can recruit well and our promising juniors really step up then all good, but if not, it's going to be a process to staying competitive.
I hope I am wrong but I get the feeling like what ever coach we get, they have two season at best to do something with this team as the likes of Gutho, RCG, Paulo, Sivo, Matto, Carty, Lane will all be done or on the decline. Having so many 30+ year olds is really going to hurt the Eels in the next season or two and this will be part of the BA legacy which can't be blamed on whoever our new coach is.
BA and the Eels failed to properly plan for this and unfortunately, the new incomming coach will be the one who will have to try to fix this. That's not really fair on him but that's elite sporting and the Eels can't just accept that because if they do there will be more of the same. Whoever the new coach is really does need to pull off a miracle. It can be done but won't be easy.
Good blog mate. No need to rush IMO. KPIs are a no braiber and they should be part of anyone's job expectations.
As opposed to others who are worried about finding BAs successor, I am not.
There are a tonne of candidates who for all intents and purposes can do the job - we just need to do our due diligence and we will find the right candidate 100%.
BA came out of nowhere with limited experience and we gave him 11 years at this club. He did better than many probably thought he would or ever expected.
I am certain if we look for his replacement based on addressing BAs weaknesses, then we will find the right person.
I disagree we do need to rush as we need it sorted before Origin finishes. The board will already know who they want and the interview process is usually a formality to appear like a thorough process was followed.
The longer we put it off the small number of players available for next year will sign elsewhere. All the top players are already signed but the fringe players who get a shot at Origin time get resigned pretty quick or sign elsewhere with a club who have been watching them in lower grades and just want to see if they managed the step up.
We need to know the coach so recruitment can start and players can be told to to try and find another club.
Great blog, Bert. Great to see you sharing your deep footy insights. Agree with everything you said.
The quantity of our POs is insanity on roids.
I'm guessing it was some quasi "point of difference" to get playes over the line as very few clubs are as crazy as us to hand all the power to players and their managers in negotiations.
It makes you wonder if players are playing for our club and really want to be here and make the jersey proud or ... ?