The Eels finally made the decision that looked obvious for six-plus months now in removing Brad Arthur from the coaching role.
Despite a decade in the job, the Eels lack of results cost him a job he was publicly re-assured he was secure in. Trent Barrett has been named interim coach and has named his first team list.
With the greatest of respect to Trent Barrett, he does not feel like a long-term option. I believe he'll oversee the side while the search is conducted before returning to his assistant position.
The Eels should be in no rush here. They need to make the right appointment for the long-term.
Truthfully, if I'm Parramatta, I'm not making a decision any time soon. That is, of course, unless they are blown away by a candidate.
Either way, I'd be telling Barrett to enjoy 2024 as interim coach before the full time choice takes over as the players return from break.
Below are a list of the candidates that will either be linked to the job, or should be linked to the job.
Let us know in the comments who you believe is the man for the job:
Michael Maguire is about to lead the Blues into an Origin series, but a return to club rugby league isn't out of the question.
Maguire is a Premiership winning coach and a coach known for his hardline stance and instance on discipline.
Certain Tigers famously, or infamously, accused Maguire of training them too hard. That's absolutely the kind of coach the Eels need to whip them back into shape.
The Eels have a side capable of doing serious damage. Zac Lomax is joining them for 2025, fixing a major need out wide.
If Maguire isn't married to the idea of being a rep coach, the Eels decision could be made pretty easy in the end.
Long thought of as the next coach up, Ryles recently turned down the Dragons job everyone saw him being offered.
My thinking is that Ryles was waiting for the right job. Smart for a first-time coach, as overseeing a rough period can taint your career early.
The Eels job looks far more enticing than the Red V job did in 2023 heading into 2024.
Parra have a superstar halves pairing, an Origin level player arriving, and a forward pack many other sides would do anything for.
If Ryles is ready to move now, or more importantly, isn't willing to wait for the Melbourne role, then he has to be a leading candidate here.
If the Eels wanted to take a punt on a long-term option, then the former Bunnies Premiership winner and current Warrington Wolves coach may be the go.
Burgess has the Wolves humming. They're sitting at the top of the competition and qualified for the Challenge Cup Final.
At only 35 year's of age, it's possible he is too young and inexperienced to take over such a big role, but so far so good in England.
Burgess has shown he is not scared of making the big statement either. He was forced out of the Bunnies for making statements that upset star players.
Looking back now, perhaps Burgess was bang on and they should have listened?
Perhaps the Eels will.
People will forget but at one point John Morris had the Sharks on a good path. During a time of pure chaos no less.
Thrust into the Sharks job in the midst of a Shane Flanagan e-mail scandal, Morris held the job with incredible grace. Well beyond his years to be honest.
Ultimately the club went with Craig Fitzgibbon, but even then Morris didn't do anything to let himself down.
Others would have.
I doubt the Tigers would want to let him leave as all reports are he's playing an important role assisting Benji Maershall.
A left field choice but one that the Eels may very much consider.
Burt is the Eels all time points scoring record holder scoring 1793 points across his 264 games in blue and gold.
In terms of coaching experience, he was thrown to the wolves in 2019 as interim Gold Coast Titans coach. He went winless in nine games in a time where not even a Bellamy or Bennett could have saved their season.
He currently has the Burleigh Bears sitting atop the QLD Cup ladder.
I'd assume Burt will have to serve as an assistant before claiming a full-time NRL gig but if they want someone who bleeds for the club, they could do far worse.
I'm still strongly of the believe that the Titans did Justin Holbrook dirty.
He accepted a tough decision with a level of grace I'm not sure I could have found, given the circumstances.
Holbrook has slotted extremely well into the Roosters set up but I'd be shocked if he weren't willing to return to a top job if considered.
His time overlooking the Titans certainly doesn't scream "pick me" but this is a tough job and experience may win out in the end.
The former Wallabies coach is going to be linked to every NRL job for the rest of time, so let's stick to the tradition.
Cheika has held the most high profile job of anyone on this list. Tough to find a bigger profile job in the country to be fair.
I'm not backward in my lack of knowledge, or interest, in the other code, but far better judges than I have proclaimed he could make the switch with ease.
An interesting option and one I'd expect to be linked and potentially interviewed.
If I'm the Eels, I'm speaking with Michael Maguire before I make any decisions.
His experience, his title winning pedigree and the fact he accepts no nonsense make him a top quality candidate.
Jason Ryles would also very much be on my radar.
It's too big of an ask for a rookie coach, and John Morris was seen as being too close to the players during his Shark days.
Holbrook is an interesting option and a very solid fallback but right now Ryles and Maguire look the standout options.