Chris Anderson to help Stephen Kearney at Parramatta Eels
BY: BRENT READ From: The Australian June 29, 2012 12:00AM
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/chris-anderson-to-help-stephen-kearney-at-parramatta-eels/story-fnca0von-1226411516676
TWO-TIME premiership winning coach Chris Anderson is on the verge of a return to the NRL after being offered an opportunity to work alongside Stephen Kearney at Parramatta - a move that scuppers speculation of a coaching change at the club.
Kearney and Anderson won a premiership together at Melbourne in 1999 and it is understood the Eels' coach has been the driving force in negotiations to hire his former mentor.
Parramatta officials were tight-lipped last night but The Australian understands an announcement could be just days away provided the parties can strike an agreement. Should that happen, it would be a remarkable return for Anderson, who has been out of the NRL since resigning as Sydney Roosters coach 16 games into the 2007 season.
While Kearney will remain head coach, it is understood Anderson will act as a mentor and help ease the burden.
His arrival will also douse speculation about Kearney's future.
The New Zealand Test coach has one year remaining on his contract and there have been suggestions that the club would part ways with its coach at the end of the season, or even sooner.
That now appears highly unlikely, although Kearney will need to end this year well and enjoy a flying start next season to ensure his stay at Parramatta is long-term.
His cause will be helped by Anderson's arrival.
As well as leading the Storm to a premiership, Anderson coached Canterbury to a title in 1995 before stints at Cronulla and the Roosters. He also enjoyed a very successful tenure as Australia coach, losing only three games during his five years in charge of the Kangaroos. He has kept his toe in the water in recent years through occasional media commitments and work with the NSW Legends.
One of Anderson's first duties will be to help Kearney extract the best out of star recruit Chris Sandow, who has had a horrid first season at the club.
With Kearney armed with reinforcements and his future secure, focus will switch to coaches at other clubs feeling the pinch, most notably those at Canberra, St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.
Blues coach Ricky Stuart, off contract with the NSW Rugby League at the end of the year, had been linked with Parramatta but he appears more likely to return to Canberra next season in some capacity.
Stuart has also been linked with the Dragons and the Roosters, where coach Brian Smith is under increasing pressure after a frightful dip in form that has resulted in the team winning only two of its past nine games.
While Stuart has been associated with a return to the club, it is understood the Roosters have a high opinion of Smith's former assistant, Trent Robinson, who is currently coaching French club Catalans in Super League.
The Roosters have also been associated with a big-money move for Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy when his current contract expires at the end of next season.
As for the Dragons, their coach Steve Price laughed off speculation over his future this week, insisting he had the support of the club and of its chief executive, Peter Doust.
BY: BRENT READ From: The Australian June 29, 2012 12:00AM
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/chris-anderson-to-help-stephen-kearney-at-parramatta-eels/story-fnca0von-1226411516676
TWO-TIME premiership winning coach Chris Anderson is on the verge of a return to the NRL after being offered an opportunity to work alongside Stephen Kearney at Parramatta - a move that scuppers speculation of a coaching change at the club.
Kearney and Anderson won a premiership together at Melbourne in 1999 and it is understood the Eels' coach has been the driving force in negotiations to hire his former mentor.
Parramatta officials were tight-lipped last night but The Australian understands an announcement could be just days away provided the parties can strike an agreement. Should that happen, it would be a remarkable return for Anderson, who has been out of the NRL since resigning as Sydney Roosters coach 16 games into the 2007 season.
While Kearney will remain head coach, it is understood Anderson will act as a mentor and help ease the burden.
His arrival will also douse speculation about Kearney's future.
The New Zealand Test coach has one year remaining on his contract and there have been suggestions that the club would part ways with its coach at the end of the season, or even sooner.
That now appears highly unlikely, although Kearney will need to end this year well and enjoy a flying start next season to ensure his stay at Parramatta is long-term.
His cause will be helped by Anderson's arrival.
As well as leading the Storm to a premiership, Anderson coached Canterbury to a title in 1995 before stints at Cronulla and the Roosters. He also enjoyed a very successful tenure as Australia coach, losing only three games during his five years in charge of the Kangaroos. He has kept his toe in the water in recent years through occasional media commitments and work with the NSW Legends.
One of Anderson's first duties will be to help Kearney extract the best out of star recruit Chris Sandow, who has had a horrid first season at the club.
With Kearney armed with reinforcements and his future secure, focus will switch to coaches at other clubs feeling the pinch, most notably those at Canberra, St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.
Blues coach Ricky Stuart, off contract with the NSW Rugby League at the end of the year, had been linked with Parramatta but he appears more likely to return to Canberra next season in some capacity.
Stuart has also been linked with the Dragons and the Roosters, where coach Brian Smith is under increasing pressure after a frightful dip in form that has resulted in the team winning only two of its past nine games.
While Stuart has been associated with a return to the club, it is understood the Roosters have a high opinion of Smith's former assistant, Trent Robinson, who is currently coaching French club Catalans in Super League.
The Roosters have also been associated with a big-money move for Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy when his current contract expires at the end of next season.
As for the Dragons, their coach Steve Price laughed off speculation over his future this week, insisting he had the support of the club and of its chief executive, Peter Doust.
