Anderson sacked

Just a day after denying an issue of “racial vilification” between player Feleti Mateo and coach Daniel Anderson, Parramatta bosses have terminated Anderson’s contract

The Eels board decided to sack Anderson following an extraordinary meeting on Sunday night, despite the coach having a year left on his contract.

“At the conclusion of the Eels’ 2010 NRL season, a committee was appointed to review the performance of the team, and the Club as a business unit. This comprised of current Directors Glenn Duncan and Geoff Gerard and CEO Paul Osborne,” said Chairman Roy Spagnolo.

“After a strategic review into the football operations and team performance, the board determined that the team did not make the progress this year that it should have and, moving forward on that basis, the board felt the club would be best served with a new coach.

The club released a statement yesterday rubbishing allegations of a rift between Anderson and utlility player Feleti Mateo.

Mateo, who is leaving to join the New Zealand Warriors next season, backed up the statement, saying he never had an issue with Anderson.

Added Spagnolo: “As a board we have a responsibility to our Members to follow due process and have the courage to make tough decisions when necessary. This is one of those very tough decisions but we feel it is the right one, considering the best interests of the club’s long-term development.

“The board would like to thank Daniel for his dedicated and wholehearted efforts with the team in the past two seasons. We wish him well in the future.”

After reaching the NRL Grand Final in 2009, the Eels enjoyed a less than impressive during Anderson’s second year in charge, finishing 11th in the ladder.