RICKY Stuart is going home to the Canberra Raiders after agreeing to a three-year contract late Wednesday night.

His decision paves the way for dumped Cowboys coach Neil Henry to take on the toughest job in the NRL - Stuart’s old job at the Parramatta Eels.

The appointment in Canberra will be announced Thursday, with Stuart returning to the club from where he became one of the great half-backs of the modern era.

RICKY STUART'S PLAYING CAREER

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media_camera Parramatta Eels coach Ricky Stuart. Picture: Barnsley Tim

He won three premierships in the lime green jersey (1989,1990 and 1994) and represented his state and country from the nation’s capital.

It was with great regret that he informed Parramatta officials Wednesday night he would be leaving just one year into a three-season deal.

His decision is very much based on personal issues and care for his special-needs daughter.

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It will be the fourth club he has coached in the NRL, following on from stints at the Roosters, where he won a premiership, Cronulla and Parramatta.

Despite a disastrous year at the Eels, Raiders are convinced he is the right man to lead the underperforming club back to finals football in 2014.

Stuart played 203 games for the Raiders before finishing his playing career at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

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It has always been the intention of retiring Canberra Raiders chairman John McIntyre to persuade Stuart to one day return to the club.

media_camera Cowboys coach Neil Henry.

Stuart confirmed he would be leaving the Eels late Wednesday night in a phone call to chairman Steve Sharp.

“The period I’ve been with the Parramatta Eels has been extremely challenging, not only for me, but for many people like Steve Sharp who clearly have the best interests of the club at heart,” he said.

“I sincerely hope the stability the club is entitled to will soon return and reward those people who have genuine commitment and passion for the Eels.”

He would not comment on whether the off-field boardroom dramas contributed to his decision.

Eels co-captain Jarryd Hayne said he was surprised by the decision but had yet to be informed by the club.

The NSW star said the news rounded off a difficult season for him and the club.

"We always knew there were rumours but I haven't got confirmation yet and I haven't been told by club officials,'' Hayne said.

"It's obviously a huge shock but as I said I haven't had anything official, until then I will just have to wait and hear it from the horse's mouth.

"But it's definitely been the toughest year of my career. It's been tough. This news comes out it just makes it worse. We all knew there were rumours going around.

"We heard bits and pieces about it. We had a meeting with Sticky (Stuart) a couple of the senior players and for us we had an idea what was going on.

"Stick sat us down and gave us his side of things. It was one of those things.''

NSW coach and close friend Laurie Daley said he was delighted to see Stuart return to their old club and said he was the man to sort out the off-field issues that have blighted the playing squad this year.

"It's good. He is going back home,'' Daley said.

"I am really happy for him. The club has had some dramas this year and they need fixing and they will certainly add some discipline.

"It doesn't surprise me. He was always the man they wanted, whether he could have moved on was the issue. It's a match that everyone wanted to see, being a local boy.''

McIntyre announced he would stand down from the chairman’s role at the Raiders’ best and fairest awards Wednesday night after three decades.

His last job was to oversee the recruitment of Stuart.

McIntyre will be replaced by board member Dr Allan Hawke as chairman.

Dr Hawke paid tribute to McIntyre and his contribution to the Raiders.

“John McIntyre has dedicated his life to the Canberra Raiders and is the longest serving member of the organisation,” Dr Hawke said.

“He will always have a home at the Raiders and will continue on as club patron, a role his late father and Raiders founding father Les McIntyre held until he passed away in 2009.”

Originally published as Stuart quits Eels for Raiders job