Brad Arthur became the second NRL head coach to be ushered swiftly out of the back door after Jason Demetriou was axed by South Sydney earlier in the season.

The Parramatta coach had been under intense pressure ever since his side missed out on the finals last year.

And this only snowballed with each demoralising loss until Eels powerbrokers decided to sack the man who was the most capped head coach in the club’s history.

The club have moved quickly to start their search for Arthur’s replacement with a number of coaches in the running.

Who will be Parramatta Eels head coach in 2025?

Jason Ryles

Jason Ryles has been a head coach in waiting for a number of years now, with the former St George Illawarra forward serving his apprenticeship under Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson.

Ryles knocked back interest from the Dragons last year in order to return to Melbourne and work under Bellamy again with the assumption he’d take charge of the Storm following the veteran’s retirement.

However, Bellamy recently confirmed he would go around again in 2025, putting doubts around Ryles’ long-term future at the club.

The Eels noted how they were looking to go in a “new direction” following the sacking of Arthur, which Ryles could provide.

Benji Marshall, Andrew Webster, Cameron Ciraldo and Craig Fitzgibbon have been the most recent assistant coaches who have graduated to the hot seats at clubs with mixed results so far.

So, Ryles would undoubtedly be a risky move with a number of far more experienced campaigners potentially available. Although he is currently believed to be the front runner for the position, according to reporter Danny Weidler.