2 weeks Ago
The ARL Commission has reportedly told former Eels coach Brad Arthur he the No.1 target to coach the Perth-based Bears on a $5.5 million deal as his NRL return heats up.
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Limited-time offer. Code Sports reported an ARL Commission representative held secret talks with Arthur, who is currently coaching Leeds in the Super League, that he is the preferred candidate to take charge of the NRL’s 18th team in their inaugural season in 2027. Arthur is set to be offered a mega $5.
5 million deal to be the Bears coach in a mooted five-year contract from 2027. It is understood Arthur will be offered a multi-year deal, between three to five years, worth up to $1.1 million a season, earning him a potential $5.
5 million over the course of the deal. It is understood the discussions took place in recent months via a phone hook-up with Arthur from England. ARL Commissioners are aware Arthur is the prime target to coach the Bears in their return season.
The ARLC is yet to hold formal negotiations with Arthur, nor has he signed any deal. However, that process is expected to be a formality when the NRL officially announces the Perth Bears as the code’s newest expansion franchise in the next fortnight. MORE NRL NEWS ‘ASK HIM TO SMILE’: Wayne’s no-show after dental disaster as Latrell defended COOKED: Smith’s 70-minute masterclass in Roosters’ rout of Dragons as Tedesco shines ‘KILLED US’: Flanagan flat after Dragons’ resurgence comes crashing back to earth The NRL clubs were informed at a meeting on Thursday that the ARL Commission had a coach lined up to take charge of the 18th team, although his identity was not disclosed.
Arthur is off-contract at the end of the Super League season with Leeds keen to extend the 50-year-old. Arthur was sacked by the Eels after 10 rounds last season, following 137 wins from 264 games in charge of Parramatta from 2012 to 2024, including the 2022 Grand Final loss to the Panthers. Arthur has coached Leeds to 11 wins from 20 games since joining the club last year.
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