NRL 2024: Billy Slater rejects applying for Parramatta Eels coaching job
Billy Slater has rejected conjecture he is interested in the Eels’ coaching job, but he may eventually have to face the prospect of finding another trusted lieutenant on his Maroons staff.
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Queensland have received a huge boost with Billy Slater declaring he won’t be walking out on the Maroons to chase the vacant head-coaching position at Parramatta.
But Slater may eventually have to face the prospect of finding another Maroons staffer, with his Queensland Origin assistant Josh Hannay breaking his silence to confirm his interest in the Eels job.
Speculation sweeping league circles suggested Slater and his NSW Origin rival Michael Maguire could be targets to replace Brad Arthur, who was sacked as Parramatta coach on Monday.
While he has no NRL coaching experience, Slater’s credibility has soared after steering the Maroons to back-to-back Origin series victories in a reign that triggered the demise of NSW counterpart Brad Fittler.
But as he prepares to enter Camp Maroon on Monday, Slater has ruled himself out of the race for the Parramatta post as he sets his sights on a Queensland three-peat this season.
“I am all in for the Queensland job and if I’m not coaching Queensland, I’m not coaching anyone else,” Slater said.
“I have been very forward with that.
“For that (Slater linked to Eels post) to be a statement over the last 24 hours … this is the first time I have been asked about this issue.
“I’m Queensland’s coach and if I’m not Queensland’s coach, I’m not coaching anyone.”
Slater initially signed a two-year deal to help lead a new era for Queensland and after proving a stunning success as a rookie Origin coach, the 40-year-old inked a fresh three-year extension last September.
Locked in as Queensland coach until 2026, Slater is a Storm legend and still has his finger on the pulse at Melbourne, where Arthur served as an assistant to Craig Bellamy before his move to the Eels.
There is a view Slater would be an outstanding club coach with his work ethic, pedigree and attention to detail, but the Queensland Origin legend made it clear he has no immediate desire to be one of the NRL’s 17 mentors.
“It’s not so much the pressure of the NRL job,” he said.
“I’m not worried about that.
“But it’s a huge commitment being an NRL coach, it’s an 11-month of the year, seven days a week job.
“I’ve been in and around the NRL environment for over two decades now. I understand what those NRL coaches put into it and it’s all in.
“Where I am at with my life and my family, I don’t foresee myself in the near future ever becoming an NRL coach.
“Maybe that changes down the track, you never say never, but I’m here to do my part for Queensland.
“I’m happy in this role and if I’m not the Queensland head coach, well, I’m not a coach.”
Slater’s stance opens the door for his Queensland assistant, Hannay, to become a serious contender.
A veteran of 153 NRL games, Hannay has proven a fine deputy for Slater at Origin level and Craig Fitzgibbon at the Sharks and the former Cowboys centre has been judicious in his career progression.
The 44-year-old, who coached Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup, said he has knocked back other jobs _ but revealed the Eels post has appeal.
“Personally, the question is as much – does the particular position appeal to me – as the question am I ready?” Hannay said.
“With all due respect to the (Parramatta) position and what comes with it, in my mind, I couldn’t be more ready.
“I don’t say that lightly.
“In terms of appeal, I currently get enormous job satisfaction working with both the Cronulla Sharks and the Queensland State of Origin side.
“‘Fitzy’ and Billy are wonderful to work alongside and both have allowed me to have meaningful influence within the respective programs.
“I wouldn’t walk away from that easily, and it’s for that reason I’ve intentionally distanced myself from recent coaching vacancies as the necessary level of appeal just didn’t exist.
“The Eels role, however, does appeal.
“On face value there is a lot going for the club on and off the field.
“We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, my focus will remain with the Sharks and Maroons.”
Eels top job on the line as Madge, Slater go head to head
-Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
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.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Billy Slater rejects applying for Parramatta Eels coaching job
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