Despite remaining in strong contention for the 2021 premiership, Brad Arthur's future at Parramatta has come under questioned following rumours linking Shane Flanagan to the leading role at the Eels.
Arthur remains contracted to the club for two years and stands a great chance to end the club's 35-year premiership drought in 2021, but that hasn't stopped the pressure mounting on the his shoulders.
With Flanagan linked to the senior role at Parramatta, club chief executive Jim Sarantinos stepped in to show his support for Arthur at the Eels.
โIโve spoken to no other coach,โ Sarantinos told The Daily Telegraph.
โOur chairman has spoken to no other coach. There has been no consideration or discussion about anyone else.โ
Sarantinos added that while the club remains in a strong position moving forward, there are key barriers the club most overcame, namely their finals performances.
โWeโve made good progress in the last two years but in every area of our club we want to improve,โ he said.
โThatโs front office, football department, elite pathways, everything.
โThe last couple of years weโve got to the second week of the finals but weโd like to do better this year. No-one more so than Brad and the players. They are burning for finals success.โ
Sarantinos stated that the 2021 season won't be make or break for Arthur, backing the 46-year-old to continue in moving the club in the right direction.
โIf we get to a grand final or win a premiership thatโs terrific but Bradโs future is not hanging on it,โ he said.
โI can guarantee there is no benchmark level on the competition ladder in relation to Bradโs future.
โWeโre fully invested in Brad. Weโd like him to be here well beyond the next two years. If thereโs progress, you back your people.
โItโs the same with any job, not just in rugby league.
โWeโre doing everything we can to support Brad, his staff and the players to achieve the best possible outcomes.โ
Parramatta will open their 2021 campaign when they travel to Suncorp Stadium on Friday, March 12 to face the Broncos.
