Parramatta announced Daniel Anderson as their new NRL coach for three years on Monday, replacing Michael Hagan who quit last month.

The former St Helens and New Zealand Warriors coach will lead the Eels until 2011 to manage the club's recovery from a disappointing 2008 season.

Hagan resigned last month due to health and family reasons after a tumultuous year when the off-field behaviour of his players was as much of a concern as their inconsistent football.

Anderson, 41, is a three-time Challenge Cup and Super League premiership winner in England with St Helens and returns to Parramatta where he was born and raised.

He coached the Warriors to their first and only NRL grand final in 2002 and the New Zealand Test team between 2003 and 2005.

Anderson was an assistant to coach Brian Smith at Parramatta in 2000 after leading the reserve grade team to the 1999 premiership.

"I have a long history with the Parramatta club and I consider it a real privilege to be given the opportunity to coach the team over the next three years," Anderson said.

"I started my coaching career here back in 1991 and it's long been a goal of mine to return. I'm a Parramatta boy, I grew up here and, apart from the last eight years, I've spent my life here.

"Needless to day I'm incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity that I have been given and I look forward to helping the team and the club rise up the ladder."

Anderson returned to Australia earlier this month and will start with the Eels immediately.

"We as a club are very pleased to have Daniel on board," Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said.

"He has proven himself to be one of the best rugby league coaches in the world having had success in Australia, New Zealand and England, and he's also had great success in big games.

"Furthermore he's well aware of the structure throughout all levels at Parramatta and he's showed tremendous enthusiasm to get on with the job.

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