Ricky Stuart is yet to sign on to coach Parramatta but chief executive Bob Bentley remains confident the NSW Origin coach will join the NRL club for 2013 and beyond and an announcement could come within days.

Stuart would join the Eels on a long term deal in a bid to rebuild the struggling club from the ground up following Stephen Kearney’s departure.

An upbeat Bentley denied on Saturday night that the Stuart signing was a done deal but indicated that discussions were well advanced with the Sydney Roosters 2002 premiership-winning coach.

“He hasn’t signed with us, we are still looking for a coach as of now,” Bentley said.

“But I had further discussions with his manager today. We are hopeful of making an announcement in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

Bentley said he believed coaching Parramatta was a very attractive proposition for Stuart who coached the Roosters from 2002 to 2006, the Cronulla Sharks from 2007 to 2010 and has coached NSW for the past two unsuccessful State of Origin campaigns.

“I think we can offer the sort of things he is looking for in a club,” Bentley said.

“There are a lot of of opportunities here. We have a strong leagues club and financial backing, a good playing roster and obviously the resources around the structure we have got.

“The club ticks a lot of boxes in that regard.

“But at the moment Ricky hasn’t signed anything.”