Departing Eels coach Ricky Stuart will wear criticism for the sake of family Ricky Stuart will move from the Eels to the Raiders in 2014. RICKY Stuart says he's happy to leave the Parramatta Eels one year into his three-year deal for the sake of his family. Stuart has walked away from the Eels to return to the Canberra and the Raiders where he played a crucial role in their premierships of 1989, '90 and '94. "I didn't ask for this opportunity to present itself but it has and I know I am getting criticised," Stuart told the Ten Network. But I'll wear that for the the sake of my career and for my family. Interim CEO Matt Phelan admitted the Eels were caught off guard by Stuart's exit as he'd assured them he'd be in charge next year. "Every conversation we've had with Ricky and every indication he'd given to us was that he'd be the coach here in 2014 and honour his contract," Phelan told the club's website. Stuart admitted after Sunday's 54-6 loss to Newcastle he had a release clause inserted in his contract due to a "volatile board" but Phelan denied there were issues with the existing powerbrokers who took control earlier this year. "What he mentioned was that there was problems with the board but not specifically this board," he said. What's happening with our club is coming from outside influences - not from those directly involved on a day-to-day basis. Ricky also said leaving the club was for personal reasons. Phil Rothfield sets the record straight on Ricky Stuart's move to the Canberra Raiders. Stuart said returning to Canberra would help he and his wife Kaylee care for his teenage daughter Emma who has autism. "I've always said that at some stage of my coaching career I'd like to coach Canberra," Stuart said in a 2GB radio interview with Ben Fordham, the son of Stuart's manager John Fordham. I've been asked to go down there a couple of times before and there has been circumstances that didn't allow it. This is the first time the opportunity has come up when they haven't had a coach. "It will be a great help to my wife in regards to having both sets of grandparents around in helping Kaylee with Emma (by returning to Canberra)," he said. Phelan said the club wouldn't rush to make a decision on Stuart's replacement. We're only just living with the decision of Ricky. The players are aware of what their obligations are over the rest of the season," he said. We'll work rigorously with our board to ensure we get the right person to coach this club in 2014 and beyond. We've got no decision on how long it will take. It will take as long as it takes to ensure we get the right person for this club. At the end of the day, this is a great football club and a great brand. The challenge is to turn it around to ensure we excel and bring players to our club.