ENGLAND coach Steve McNamara has become a fringe candidate to replace Ricky Stuart as new coach of Parramatta.

The Daily Telegraph has been told McNamara has attracted some support from members of the Eels board.



Former Cowboys coach Neil Henry remains favourite but McNamara has been mentioned by some influential figures at the club.



McNamara would be deemed a gamble but Parramatta has nothing to lose given their two successive wooden spoons.



Parramatta hasn’t started any formal interviews yet but it is understood the club has been inundated with prospective applicants.



The club has about 12 names on a list.



"We haven’t spoken to any coaches just yet," confirmed Eels chairman Steve Sharp.



"We may go for a senior coach or a developing coach.



"There are a lot of coaches who want the job, they want to be NRL coaches.



"But we have to get the right bloke who is able to handle the job and go forward.



"We want a coach who focuses purely on coaching and can get the best results for the team.



"We will be putting out a few ‘feelers’ in the next week."



McNamara spent three weeks in Australia during June and July where he met with clubs and attended the Brisbane State of Origin game.



