Parramatta chief executive Bob Bentley says Ricky Stuart must decide between NSW and the NRL before the Eels can target him to replace departing coach Stephen Kearney.
Hours after Kearney announced his resignation from the Eels, following just nine wins from 41 games, Bentley met Stuart’s manager John Fordham over lunch.
Stuart, who has also been linked to coaching Canberra where he starred as a player, is seen as the favourite to succeed Kearney in 2013.
But he must make a call on whether he is willing to give up his dream of returning the State of Origin shield to NSW.
“Ricky’s got a decision to make around Origin – I’m not sure whether Ricky’s available to coach at NRL level,” Bentley said when quizzed about the club’s interest in Stuart.
Asked if the Eels would be keen on Stuart if he were available, Bentley said: “I think he’d be one of the ones on our shopping list and what we’ll do now is commence a recruitment process to fill the position for next year.”
That process didn’t take long to begin, with Fordham confirming he had met Bentley to discuss Stuart’s situation.
Fordham said it was the first time he had spoken with the Eels about the coaching role but no offer was made.
Former coach Jason Taylor – who had success at Parramatta when he took over from Brian Smith midway through 2006 before heading to South Sydney – is also considered a candidate, as are UK-based duo Nathan Brown and Michael Potter.
Despite speculation that he had jumped before being pushed, Kearney said the decision was his.
“It’s been a real difficult four months, to be fair, and it’s been really challenging at times but I just thought the best thing for myself and family and club is to step away.”
Bentley said no one from the board had approached Kearney to tell him his time was up.
This was despite suggestions Kearney’s presence had impacted on the club’s chances of securing Penrith star Luke Lewis – who on Friday announced he was joining Cronulla in 2013.
“Steve made his own decision, he asked to see Roy (chairman Roy Spagnolo) and myself yesterday afternoon and put his resignation to us,” Bentley said.
“We’re disappointed for the club and him that he’s not going to be here next year.”
Kearney admitted results had simply not been up to scratch for a club of Parramatta’s standing.
After avoiding the wooden spoon with a last-round win in 2011, the Eels are again in a dogfight for the unwanted prize, sitting last on the ladder with seven games remaining.
Asked whether it was impossible for a coach to succeed at Parramatta, Kearney said: “That’s not for me to make a judgement on that.
“I’ve come with the best intentions to do the best job I possibly could and I leave feeling that I did that … I feel a bit of relief in that sense that I tried my hardest.”
