- The Eels sacked coach Brad Arthur in May
- The team is currently in second to last place in the standings.
Jason Ryles has won the fight for the Parramatta NRL coaching job, with the Eels appointing the Melbourne assistant on a four-year contract.
Parramatta ended the long wait to replace Brad Arthur with an announcement early on Monday morning following last week’s board meeting.
Ryles’ appointment means he has beaten Josh Hannay to the job, with Dean Young and interim coach Trent Barrett the other main contenders.
The former St George Illawarra prop has long been regarded as an NRL coach-in-waiting, having been stuck behind Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm in recent years.
“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, aligns perfectly with the direction we are taking our club.
‘We have a strong NRL squad and a group of exciting young players coming through our development programmes.
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 fan base.
Jason Ryles (pictured during his time as a Storm assistant in 2020) has long been regarded as a top-tier head coach in the making.
The 45-year-old was one of the game’s best forwards in his prime, having played for the Dragons (pictured), Roosters and Storm.
Ryles (pictured centre, looking at the camera while with the Storm) learned his coaching trade under renowned championship winner Craig Bellamy in Melbourne.
Ryles will finish the season in Melbourne, before joining Parramatta after this year’s finals.
His first immediate challenge will be to retain key members of the Parramatta squad, with Dylan Brown having an option in his contract to leave at the end of 2025.
Arthur’s links to Perth’s NRL expansion side could compound the challenge given members of the Eels’ playing group remain close to their former long-serving coach, who was sacked in May.
Results on the pitch are also in need of major improvement: Parramatta have conceded more points (470) than any other team through 18 rounds and have dropped to 16th in the standings.
“I am incredibly honoured to be appointed as head coach of the Parramatta Eels,” Ryles said.
“This is a club with a rich history and passionate fans. I’m looking forward to coaching these youngsters.”
Fixing the Eels will be no easy task, and Ryles will need to retain some of the team’s top talent as well as fix their stultifying defence.
Ryles’ appointment will also raise questions about who will ultimately replace Bellamy in Melbourne, where the veteran trainer is on a one-year contract.
Ryles had long been tipped as Bellamy’s successor, and recently turned down the St George Illawarra head coaching job in 2023 to return to the Storm as an assistant.
But the Storm are now likely to have to look elsewhere when head coach retires; Championship-winning player Ryan Hinchcliffe, Marc Brentnall and Bellamy’s son Aaron are currently on staff as assistants.
Billy Slater has often been mentioned as a possible heir given his long connection with the club and his burgeoning coaching career with Queensland in Origin.