Parramatta Eels begin interviewing for head coaching role

Parramatta powers-that-be have begun organising interviews for the vacant head coaching role, with three high-profile assistants and a former Wallabies coach leading the pack. See the full list of candidates.

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has been offered an interview for the Parramatta head coaching job after being included on a six-man shortlist for the coveted role alongside Jason Ryles and Josh Hannay.

The Eels board met last week to whittle down their candidates for the position and it is understood Cheika made the cut, having reached out to the club in his bid to crack it for a start as an NRL coach.

Cheika, who was formerly on the staff at the Sydney Roosters and coached Lebanon at the 2022 World Cup, has made no secret of his desire to try his hand in the NRL and the Eels now shape as a serious option after officials gave him the chance to interview with the club.

Aside from Cheika, Ryles and Hannay, interim coach Trent Barrett, Newcastle assistant Brian McDermott and NSW coach Michael Maguire – in the midst of preparing for the Blues for the opening State of Origin game – are believed to have made the cut.

Jason Ryles has emerged as a key target in Parramatta’s head coach search. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Eels are expected to begin interviews with the candidates as early as this week, having failed in their earlier attempt to convince seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett to turn his back on South Sydney and take over from Brad Arthur.

Arthur was sacked a fortnight ago after more than a decade at the helm of Parramatta, the club reaching the decision to make a coaching change on May 1 but keeping it under wraps for three weeks.

They used that time to mount a chase of Bennett but after coming up short, have opted to pursue a more formal process. The Eels shortlisted the candidates at a board meeting last week and contacted the contenders on Monday morning to arrange interviews.

The hope is that Parramatta will be in position to announce a new coach in a matter of weeks. Cheika is the most intriguing option, having made no secret of his desire to try his hand in the NRL.

Michael Cheika is set to interview for the job. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

It is understood a number of parties have contacted the Eels on behalf of Cheika and the club is keen to speak to him as they finalise a replacement for Arthur.

Ryles and Hannay, assistant coaches at Melbourne and Cronulla respectively, are considered the frontrunners for the role while Barrett did his cause no harm as Parramatta bounced back to their best with a win over Cronulla last Thursday.

Maguire is knee-deep in his work with NSW at the moment and it is understood he will only consider interviewing for the role when the Blues are out of camp.

McDermott has been an assistant coach at Newcastle for the past two seasons after a long and distinguished career in Super League, where he won grand finals with Leeds and coached Parramatta’s now head of football Mark O’Neill.