NRL: Kearney steps up to volatile Eels job

Stephen Kearney. Photo / Getty Images

From office junior to the boss. Stephen Kearney has relocated from the cocoon of the Melbourne Storm's coaching box to one of the NRL's most volatile working environments.

The Kiwis coach yesterday confirmed what was suspected in August, that he had embraced the challenge of becoming the Parramatta Eels' fifth head coach in just eight years - and the first New Zealander to lead an Australian club since Graham Lowe controlled Manly between 1990-92.

The Eels unveiled Kearney yesterday, heralding his three-year deal less than a fortnight after predecessor Daniel Anderson was deposed despite having a season remaining on his contract.

Aware of the messy handling of Anderson's demise less than 12 months after he had guided the Eels to a grand final, Kearney sought to accentuate the positive as he inherits arguably the competition's most unforgiving managerial appointment.

"I'm not interested in what's happened [to Anderson]. I'm not privy to that information," he said.

"My immediate focus is what I've got to do to get this footy club back to what it should be doing."

Amid rumours of a group of former Eels stars lobbying to unseat the board that rubber-stamped his appointment, the 38-year-old tried to limit discussions to his career advancement.

Asked why he would take the risk of joining Parramatta after turning down approaches from more settled alternatives, Kearney said it was the first time he had felt capable of handling a promotion from his assistant's role at the Melbourne Storm.

"I feel I needed to take the next step in terms of my coaching career," he said. "The opportunity was too good. In the past I probably felt I wasn't quite ready," he said.

Kearney served a five-year apprenticeship under Craig Bellamy at the Storm and then had the legendary Wayne Bennett as an offsider when the Kiwis were surprisingly triumphant at the 2008 World Cup.

Finally, he felt it was time to be his own man.

Anderson was sacked via email after the team slumped from pre-season premiership favourites to outside the top eight, a decision that polarised fans and the majority of the playing roster.

Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne, who courted Kearney two months ago, denied the New Zealander would be another short-term appointment if he could not improve on the 12th placing achieved by Anderson.

"I'm confident Steve will be here a long time," Osborne said.

Kearney, who first experienced premiership glory at Melbourne as a player, was also coy about whether he could instantly improve the status of a club that last won a title in 1986.

"I'm not putting a time-frame on anything," he said.

"It's about making sure I prepare the side as best I can and give them every opportunity to perform well on the weekend."

Kearney met the board last week and only agreed to terms after gaining an assurance he would exert control over player acquisition and retention.

"I expressed to the board that I needed to be in control of the football side of things and I felt very comfortable when I left that meeting. As a footy coach you can't operate any other way."

Kearney consulted Eels captain Nathan Hindmarsh, plus senior players Jarryd Hayne and Fuifui Moimoi before making the move and described the feedback as positive.

"They are looking forward to a new start. That's what I'm here to provide.

"Talking to Nathan, I know he's really excited about moving forward."

Ideally Kearney will soon be discussing the future with another of the code's elder statesmen. Former Melbourne and Manly halfback Matt Orford is top of the shopping list. The playmaker is keen to return home after a stint in the English Super League with Bradford.

- NZPA