Parramatta’s search for a head coach is finally over, with Melbourne Storm assistant Jason Ryles beating out Josh Hannay and Trent Barrett for the gig from 2025 onwards.
And, in a huge show of faith for the 45-year-old, the Eels have signed the former representative player turned coach for a whopping four years.
After a long and successful career as a player where he represented both NSW and Australia, Ryles began his coaching career in 2014.
During his coaching tenure, Ryles has been an assistant coach with the Storm between 2016 and 2020, which included four grand finals and two premiership wins; an assistant coach with the English Rugby team between 2020 and 2021; an assistant coach with the Sydney Rooters between 2022 and 2023 before returning to the Storm in 2024.
Ryles is considered by many experts as one of the best emerging coaches in the game and brings a wealth of experience in winning environments and high performance cultures to the Eels, while also having been mentored by two of the most respected and successful coaches in the game in Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson.
“We are delighted to welcome Jason to the Parramatta Eels,” Eel Chairman Sean McElduff said.
“Jason’s proven track record in winning environments, combined with his passion for developing young talent perfectly aligns with the direction we are taking our club.
“We have a strong NRL roster and a group of exciting young players coming through our pathways programs. 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 fanbase.”
Since parting ways with Brad Arthur earlier this season, the Eels have recorded just one victory under interim coach Trent Barrett and currently sit in equal last position on the NRL ladder.
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos is confident the Eels can be a force again under coach Ryles.
“We are entering a new era for our football program, and we’re thrilled to secure someone of Jason’s calibre as the leader of our NRL team moving forward,” he said.
“He is highly regarded as a coach and we believe that he has a huge future in the NRL. We are confident under Jason’s leadership, our club will be challenging for premierships in the years to come.”
Ryles said he was excited to join the Eels for the next four seasons.
“I am incredibly honoured to be appointed head coach of the Parramatta Eels,” he said.
“This is a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase. I look forward to coaching these young men.”
The Eels, who are currently on a four-game losing skid, will travel up to the Gold Coast this Saturday to face the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
Nathan Taylor is Parra News' sports journalist. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked in western Sydney media for more than a decade.