Billy Slater has admitted that he does not want to be a full-time NRL coach and sacrifice valuable time with his young family, despite calls for the Parramatta Eels to try to obtain his services. The Eels fired long-time coach Brad Arthur this week, and State of Origin coaches Slater and Michael Maguire have both been linked to the position. Maguire is apparently interested in the Parramatta post, but Slater was regarded as more of an outside chance than a real option. But the Queensland Maroons coach put the speculation to rest on Thursday afternoon, assuring the Courier Mail that he has no desire to take the Eels post.
The 40-year-old said he’s happy doing the Maroons job because it allows him to spend more time with his wife and kids than a full-time NRL role. “I am all in for the Queensland job and if I’m not coaching Queensland, I’m not coaching anyone else,” Slater said.
It’s not so much the pressure of the NRL job. I’m not worried about that. But it’s a huge commitment being an NRL coach – it’s an 11-month of the year, seven days a week job. I’ve been in and around the NRL environment for over two decades now. I understand what those NRL coaches put into it and it’s all in.
“Where I am at with my life and my family, I don’t foresee myself in the near future ever becoming an NRL coach. Maybe that changes down the track – you never say never – but I’m here to do my part for Queensland. I’m happy in this role and if I’m not the Queensland head coach, well, I’m not a coach.”
