Eels coach Michael Hagan was rushed to hospital yesterday after collapsing at his apartment.
Eels coach Michael Hagan was rushed to hospital yesterday after collapsing at his apartment.
The Saturday edition of the Daily Telegraph reported that Hagan “was slurring his words and unable to get out of bed” when club staff broke into his accommodation on Friday.
The premiership winning coach was taken to Hills Private Hospital to undergo testing.
He was said to be “doing well” late last night.
The cause of the collapse remains a mystery at this stage but comes at a dark time for the club with both players and coach under enormous stress towards the end of a frustrating season.
Eels halfback Brett Finch believes the enormous stress first grade coaches are under played a big contribution.
“There is no doubt that the reason this has happened is because of our performance and the pressure Hages has been under,” Finch told the Tele.
The former Bulldogs and Knights player took his team to within one game of the Grand Final last year before watching them plummet to 13th position this season and look very likely to miss the top eight.
Media theory is that Hagan has been protecting his players by refusing to criticize them in public while some believe he has remained too composed given the Eels poor performance in 2008.
Hagan is expected to be in the coaches box at Aussie Stadium tomorrow when the Sydney Roosters tackle the Parramatta Eels for the Jack Gibson Cup.
