Kearney safe at Eels, says Bentley
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Parramatta chief executive Bob Bentley labelled his side’s win over Cronulla a turning point in the NRL club’s disappointing season as he dismissed reports coach Stephen Kearney’s head was on the chopping block.
Weekend reports suggested the Eels board had given Kearney two weeks to revive the side’s dismal campaign, Monday night 29-20 come from behind win no doubt easing some of the pressure.
Bentley said no deadline had been given for the coach to turn things around.
“No, definitely not,” Bentley said.
“That story was unfounded, there was no official comment made to that effect by the club.
“I think it’s just a rumour.
“The board supports Steve, we’re all behind him, the players are behind him.
“Hopefully tonight is the start of a big turnaround for the club.”
Bentley said he met with Kearney on Sunday to re-assure him his position was safe, the embattled coach adamant he had no let conjecture over his future affect his preparation for the game.
“I don’t buy into speculation,” Kearney said.
“That’s not where my focus has ever been.
“We haven’t been travelling well so that causes concern amongst the pigeons.”
© AAP 2013
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The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
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June 5th 2012 @ 1:46am
NSW aus rugby league birthplace said | June 5th 2012 @ 1:46am | Report comment
‘“I think it’s just a rumour” He is a deadset liar, how can he say “i think its a rumour”, he is the boss and would know if its a rumour or not hahahahahaha, then he said he told Kearney on Sunday that his job is safe but waits to see if Kearney gets a result to come out and say he told Kearney on sun his job is safe when he had the whole day before the game to come out and declare Kearneys job is safe instead of coming out around 10pm to say it. I have been a Parra fan all my life and i am sick of these wanna be politicians acting like league experts. The last 3 wins from Parra are from kearney removing his dumb “Structured” game plan and letting the boys play whats in front of them hhmmmm makes me wonder what his bloody job is.
June 5th 2012 @ 1:52am
NSW aus rugby league birthplace said | June 5th 2012 @ 1:52am | Report comment
The players have such short memories it makes me sick that im an Eels fan, the last time they won they were also told to play what ever was in front of them instead of Kearneys game plan and they won and lifted the pressure of this clown we call coach, then the very next week against newcastle he ordered his “Structured” game plan to be used and we played terrible ever since. Just like before the Manly game the pressure was huge on Kearney so he once again pulled the pin on his dumb game plan and we win just so the pressure is lifted off him and to go back to his “Structured” game plan and dropping players to Wenty for blame. dam the Parra players are dumb and look like blue and gold puppet atm.
June 5th 2012 @ 10:46am
steve b said | June 5th 2012 @ 10:46am | Report comment
N.A.R.L.B I to am along time Parramatta born and bred ex player and have been around since Dick Thornett laced on a boot and have never strayed from being a one eyed eels supporter to say ( it makes me sick that im an EELS fan ) and that the players are dumb suggests that you my freind should be looking for another club to support..You have to take the good with the bad and players must adhere to their coaches wishes and play the way they have been told..In saying that i am not a supporter of Kearney and never will be,, i never thought he was the right man for Parra and he is not..And if you are a true Parra supporter use your vote to get rid of the real problem at Parra ( Bentely and cronies are the real issue ) put the blame where it belongs right at the feet of the decision makers !!!
June 5th 2012 @ 11:48am
PLANKO said | June 5th 2012 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Steve B I am not a supporter of Parramatta however I cannot understand why someone would get signed to an enormous contract on the basis of being someone’s assistant coach ? Any assistant coach in the league would kill for an opportunity at his own team and certainly would not have needed a big long term contract to get them there ? I am a long term fan of Manly so actually sigh when I hear about the former foe struggling in this way but I have to admit that I don’t agree with everything Manly do but recently they have been getting the coaching thing right including not panicing when hasler left. My point is I am not seeing Parramatta or many other clubs developing a sucession plan. Manly is already working on one for Geoff with Cliffy Lyons coming through … I want to see a club like parramatta bring their heritage and passion through with former greats. Parramatta has so many that would be boomer age from that era in the 80′s surely one of them could take on an assistant role at the very least and be proud to do it ? I think we agree in short but I would like to hear your thoughts on what I have said etc etc ?
June 5th 2012 @ 12:39pm
steve b said | June 5th 2012 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Planko Manly have good board with many former great players to fall back on should times be tough,, i have always admired the way that Manly have conducted themselves in all aspects of the game and always seem to be one step ahead of the rest.. Unfortunatly at Parra we have been in disarray at the top for along time and the decision makers just cant seem to get it right,,, we have many former greats of the game who would put their hand up if asked,, but the powers to be have lost their way and have put alot of these guys offside .. We the fans would also like to see our former greats along side our current player group sharing in ideas and coaching,, but im not sure all bridjes can be mended under the current administration ..A new broom sweeps cleanist this is whats needed at Parra and start right at the top all the way through to coaching staff .Personally i would like to see Brett Kenny given the chance at the top job but the way it is at the moment i think hell will freeze over first before we see any major change. cheers Planko ….
June 7th 2012 @ 4:33pm
Ronnie the Eel said | June 7th 2012 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
i too am a lifetime Parra fan, obviously…. but I have to admit publicly that I have been going against them in the footy tipping comp. at work this year as I want to try and win it (over and above tipping with my heart rather than head)… so they blindsided me on Monday night as i didn’t think they had much of a chance to win…. hahaha..
Not sure about Kenny at the top job there either, steve, but I tell you who would make a great fist of the job if Parra could lure him away from Channel 9… one P.Sterling, not only the best halfback we have had, but also the most astute tactician as well!!!
June 5th 2012 @ 3:17pm
NSW aus rugby league birthplace said | June 5th 2012 @ 3:17pm | Report comment
I will be voting for 3P to be booted cause they are deadset idiots, they are holding onto this clown Kearney cause they dont wanna admit they got it wrong by hiring this clown and dumping Anderson. I have been going to nearly every parra game this year hoping we will improve and all we get from hours upon hours of travel is walking away pissed off and depressed, now that i want them to lose they finally pulll there finger out and save this clown we call coach. His recruitment is terrible he benched Parramatta favourate son Hindy for a few games and the players save his career, its mind boggling.