Parramatta Eels announce new coach to place Brad Arthur

The Parramatta Eels have unveiled their new head coach who will take over the embattled NRL team following Brad Arthur’s sacking.

Brad Athur’s replacement has been confirmed. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The Parramatta Eels have announced Jason Ryles will replace Brad Arthur as head coach.

Six weeks after Parramatta sacked Arthur in May, the Eels confirmed on Monday morning Ryles would take over from 2025 for the next four seasons.

In a statement, the Eels said: “Ryles is considered one of the best emerging coaches in the game and brings a wealth of experience in winning environments and high performance cultures to the Eels, while also having been mentored by two of the most respected and successful coaches in the game in Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson.”

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Ryles enjoyed a successful NRL career before making the move into coaching, where he has served as an assistant with the Melbourne Storm, the England rugby union team and the Sydney Roosters, before returning to the Storm this year.

Ryles, who will join Parramatta later this year after completing his duties with the Storm, said he was delighted to join Parramatta.

“I am incredibly honoured to be appointed Head Coach of the Parramatta Eels,” Ryles said.

“This is a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase. I look forward to coaching these young men.”

Jason Ryles is taking over as Parramatta’s coach. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Arthur was sacked in May. Picture: NRL Photos

“We are delighted to welcome Jason to the Parramatta Eels”, said Eels Chairman Sean McElduff.

“Jason’s proven track record in winning environments, combined with his passion for developing young talent perfectly aligns with the direction we are taking our Club. We have a strong NRL roster and a group of exciting young players coming through our pathways programs.

“We believe Jason is the ideal person to build a strong connection within the playing group, across the club and with the passionate Parramatta Eels fanbase.

“We are entering a new era for our football program, and we’re thrilled to secure someone of Jason’s calibre as the leader of our NRL team moving forward.

Jason Ryles has served a long apprenticeship at the Roosters and Storm. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos added: “He is highly regarded as a coach and we believe that he has a huge future in the NRL. We are confident that under Jason’s leadership, our club will be challenging for premierships in the years to come.”

Ryles got the nod ahead of highly rated Cronulla Sharks assistant Josh Hannay and former longtime Eels coach Brian Smith, although there are doubts over whether 70-year-old Smith was a legitimate candidate.

Trent Barrett had filled in as Parramatta’s interim coach following Arthur’s sacking.

The Eels currently sit 16th on the ladder, with their latest loss coming in a 32-16 defeat to the Rabbitohs last Thursday.

Arthur led the Eels to the 2022 Grand Final, which was Parramatta’s best result in his 11-year stint in charge.

Ryles’ appointment comes amid reports Parramatta’s playing is unhappy with the Eels administration.

The SMH reported halfback Mitchell Moses told teammates in the changeroom after his side’s demoralising Round 17 loss to Newcastle: “No one outside this room is going to help us get out of this, so we’ll have to do it ourselves.”

Arthur has been signed as the new coach of Leeds in the UK Super League.