PARRAMATTA legend and coaching hopeful Ray Price says a top eight finish would be a "certainty" under his guidance.

Price and premiership-winning teammate Brett Kenny have launched a joint bid to take over as Parramatta coaches, replacing Ricky Stuart, who deserted the club for Canberra last month.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox Sports on Wednesday morning, Price confirmed he finally scored a recent interview for the role, but only after he and Kenny repeatedly approached the club.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE.

"They’ve known for a hell of a long time that we’ve wanted to coach. They just don’t return calls," Price said.

"I have been interviewed. It was for about 90 minutes.

"I explained to them what I could do. Top eight is a certainty.

"Realistically, all you’ve got to do is get the players back being confident in what they are doing. And they haven’t been that for a couple of years.

"I believe fitness is part of it and defence is the other. If they get those two things right, I guarantee you their game is going to be a lot easier to play."

Price’s comments come after Parramatta’s search for a new coach was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday night, with the club’s warring board overruling chairman Steve Sharp's push for Manly assistant Brad Arthur to get the top job.

In the latest incompetent episode at Parramatta, it is understood Sharp was out-voted 4-2 at a marathon meeting, with the majority in favour of Roosters assistant Jason Taylor.

Arthur is now considering dropping out of the coaching race given the lack of support from a fractured board he last month labelled "terrible and ludicrous", with Taylor now the overwhelming favourite.

"Jason Taylor, I think that’s going the wrong way … he did nothing at South Sydney," Price said.

"So I can’t think how they think that all of a sudden he’ll pull shattered players back on the right side."

On Arthur, Price said: "I haven’t got much (to say) about Brad Arthur.

"The person that’s going to bring Parramatta out of this is going to be a Parramatta person. And that is Brett Kenny and I.

"If we can’t do it, no-one can."

Star player Jarryd Hayne weighed into the debate on Wednesday morning, praising the board for including player opinion in the quest for a new coach.

"There’s been a good relationship with the board and they’ve been fully supportive of us, getting our ideas, picking our brains," Hayne said.

"They want the best for the club and so do we."

Hayne reiterated the players’ desire for a rookie coach – and Price believes he fits the bill.

"What do you call us? Rookies. We’re rookie coaches," Price said.

"We’re experienced players, we know how to win, we know what’s needed to win."

In any case, Price believes he’s a long shot to score the top job.

"I reckon I’d be better off to win the lottery, the way things are,” he said.

"(Chairman) Steve Sharp tries to run it all on his own.

"He’s getting advice from (former CEO) Denis Fitzgerald, but as soon as that man is mentioned, Brett Kenny and I are up the creek without a paddle."