Brad Arthur

Eels tipped to offer coach new contract

Parramatta are set to show faith in their leader.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Parramatta are set to show their faith in coach Brad Arthur for the future, with a new deal to be tabled to the Eels boss following the 2021 finals series, according to The Australian's Brent Read.

Arthur's future faced great speculation through the course of this season, with the Eels struggling to play a consistent brand of football in several periods of the year.

A strong finish to their 2021 campaign has since seen Parramatta avoid an elimination final exit, with Arthur's side putting together a gallant semi-final performance to finish agonisingly close to a place in this weekend's action.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Eels coach Brad Arthur speaks at the post match media conference at the end of the round 10 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Parramatta Eels at 1300SMILES Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The two-point defeat to Penrith soon saw a new light of hope for Arthur despite the loss, with Parramatta now looking to extend the 47-year-old's contract.

Arthur is currently contracted until the end of next season, but is now likely to secure his services to the blue and gold for the long haul.

The Eels have managed three consecutive finals finishes since claiming the wooden spoon in 2018, a campaign Arthur took the blame for.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Eels coach, Brad Arthurlooks on during the round five NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on April 8, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The following season, in the final year of his contract, Arthur was able to amass a semi-final finish with the Eels and soon had his contract extended further.

2022 will be Arthur's ninth season with the Eels, managing to balance a 51% win rate from 201 games in charge of the club.

Published by
Mitch Keating