Parramatta Eels target Ricky Stuart to replace Stephen Kearney

PARRAMATTA have earmarked State of Origin coach Ricky Stuart to turn the long-suffering Eels into rugby league's super club of Sydney's west.

PARRAMATTA have earmarked State of Origin coach Ricky Stuart to turn the long-suffering Eels into rugby league's super club of Sydney's west.

Within three hours of Stephen Kearney announcing his resignation yesterday, Parramatta CEO Bob Bentley kicked off talks with Stuart's agent John Fordham over lunch at Darlinghurst eatery Bill and Toni's.

Fordham last night told The Daily Telegraph he was expecting to have further negotiations with the Eels over the next few days.

"I met with Bob Bentley at lunchtime and he expressed on behalf of his club a great interest in Ricky," Fordham said.

"He believes it would be a very good fit for the club and having spoken to him about their operations, it's quite clear they tick a lot of the boxes that Ricky would be looking for.

"We've agreed to continue dialogue. This is very early in negotiations. I've given them an idea (money wise) on what it would take."

Kearney yesterday pledged to remain at the helm for tonight's clash against Melbourne but refused to give any indication how long he will continue beyond this weekend.

Should he leave next week, as expected, assistant caoch Brad Arthur will take over for the remainder of the season.

However, the Eels will need to find at least one more coach to guide them after Kearney's mentor - Chris Anderson - last night quit just three weeks into the role.

The Daily Telegraph understands Stuart is the only serious candidate for the Parramatta job.

The club is desperate to attract new playing talent and knows how tight Stuart is with representative players he has coached in the NSW side.

Ricky Stuart and Michael Jennings

Having just missed out on the signature of Penrith stalwart Luke Lewis because of the lack of confidence in Kearney's coaching, the Eels desperately want and need a man of Stuart's stature to attract stars.

The recruitment has been an absolute disaster over the last two years with the purchase of Reni Maitua, Willie Tonga, Ben Roberts, Chris Sandow, Chris Walker, Carl Webb and other strugglers.

Stuart would be a big chance of attracting players like disgruntled Penrith centre Michael Jennings next year.

Fordham says that while the Parramatta option is attractive, there are still other considerations.

"Ricky has a lot of things to consider including his family and their lifestyle," Fordham said.

"All the other interested parties remain alive because there is no official offer from Parramatta as such at this stage.

"I expect to hear from Bob again soon. We've agreed to stay in touch."

The likelihood of Stuart signing at the Eels is a devastating blow for the Canberra Raiders who were hoping to entice Stuart back home to the national capital next year.

But the NRL will be delighted by the news that such a passionate, high profile and highly regarded coach will be leading the fight against the AFL in the western suburbs.

The problem is that it leaves a massive hole to fill with the NSW State of Origin campaign for next season.

Stuart got so close this year and still regards Origin as unfinished business.

But the NSWRL only wants a full-time coach without club commitments.

"I've still got an incredible passion for Origin," Stuart said. "But it's become apparent I can't do two jobs at once."

It emerged last night that Stuart's Origin assistant Jim Dymock was in line for the NSW job.

Other contenders include City and Country coaches Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley.