Contract clause set to free Ricky Stuart RICKY Stuart says he doesn't have a contract to coach anywhere else, but the chances of him seeing out his full three years at Parramatta appear remote. For the first time since speculation arose that the 2002 premiership-winning coach was wanted by Canberra after the Raiders board sacked David Furner three weeks ago, Stuart confirmed he did have a get-out clause in his deal with the Eels. "There is (a clause), 100 per cent," Stuart said yesterday as Parramatta's season ended with a 54-6 loss to Newcastle. I've got a volatile board so I put (a clause) in -- why wouldn't I? Stuart said the board's continued infighting, along with the changes in chief executive and chairman this year, could still not be held up as the reason for the club taking the wooden spoon. It's not an excuse for the way we're playing. But he admitted the dysfunction at the top was holding the club back. A hundred per cent. It's not so much the board sitting there now either -- it's all the factions and all the fighting around it," Stuart said. But there's another time for this. I'm not going to keep commenting on it. It is the first time Stuart has openly criticised the board. Maybe he suspects his fate will be more in the hands of the Eels directors than his own. Stuart has signed some impressive talent for next year, such as Corey Norman (Brisbane) and Lee Mossop (Super League) while 2011 premiership winner Will Hopoate arrives after completing his two-year Mormon mission. Stuart also had the unpleasant task of tapping seasoned players on the shoulder such as Reni Maitua, Ben Smith, Ben Roberts and Matt Keating to make way for new growth at the club. But this all could count for little if the board decides to get rid of Stuart or if Canberra makes an offer too good to refuse. "I haven't spoken to Canberra, it's as simple as that," Stuart said. I'm contracted to Parramatta. I haven't spoken to anyone else about going anywhere else. It's not on my mind. I'm very embarrassed in regards to our performance this year. It's unacceptable and I feel sorry for our fans. But when asked to give a guarantee he would remain to try to turn things around, Stuart played the straight bat. That's where I'm contracted, mate. What more do you want me to say? I've read the speculation too. Sure, I've got a lot of friends in Canberra but I haven't officially spoken to them and I can't go anywhere with that. Canberra boss Don Furner has enlisted former club legend and Stuart's old teammate Mal Meninga to help draw up a shortlist for the next head coach. The board met Meninga and his four-man sub-committee to hear progress on their search. Stuart, meanwhile, said there were better days ahead for Parramatta regardless of whether he stayed or left. "We've debuted a couple of very good first-graders for the future," he said. On days like this no one believes there are blue skies around but yes there is in the long term. It just takes a while to get this right.