Rugby league great Brad Fittler claims he’s had no communication with the Eels despite reports Parramatta is interested in bringing him in as the club’s next senior coach.
With the Eels mired in a form slump that has seen the side drop four straight matches, fingers have been pointed everywhere, including at current coach Brad Arthur, who has fielded a number of questions surrounding his future at the club.
Now rumours are swirling around Fittler, with reports the Eels could be tempted to bring the Roosters great back to NRL clubland to be Arthur’s successor.
However, Fittler claims links of a move to Parramatta is simply news to him.
“[Sydney Morning Herald reporter] Michael Chammas rang me and that was the first I’d heard of it,” he told 2GB’s Wide World of Sports Radio.
“It’s a wonderful club, they have a wonderful ground, wonderful support base, they’re in a really strong position despite getting hammered in the media … although they’ve done a good enough job to be where they are at the moment.
“I wish them all the best for the rest of the year. It’s where I started my career as a kid.
“At the moment, the Roosters aren’t losing their coach, Penrith isn’t losing theirs … so I’ve got to say, if I was going to go back to NRL coaching, Parramatta would be a great club.”
Pressed again on whether he was linked to the role, Fittler replied: “I’m not doing anything.”
“What I do at the moment I love; I love coaching NSW … and also with Channel Nine I love being involved in rugby league,” he added.
“I’m going kicking and screaming from my roles at the moment, let me tell you. But you never know what’s around the corner.”
Before taking over the Blues in 2018, in which he’s now claimed three Origin titles from four series, Fittler previously coached the Roosters between 2007 and 2009, but had just a 43 per cent win rate.