Sterling, who guided the Eels to each of their four premiership wins, said discussions with supporters led him to call on Parramatta Club chairman Steve Sharp and officials Tom Issa, Peter Serrao, John Boulous and Daniel Anderson to cease their action.

"I've spoken to a multitude of Parramatta fans overnight and again today who are filthy, who believe that the people responsible for the club situation have been found, they've been punished, let's move on. They see this as standing in the way," Sterling said on his Fox Sports show Sterlo On The Couch.

"This is difficult for me. I know the five and Steve Sharp was a teammate of mine. I won a premiership next to him and you get a very strong bond out of that. But they need to go, they need to put that aside - if their heart is for the club they need to put that before their individual situations at the moment."

"I don't like the term 'fall on their sword', but they need to step aside."

After saying he wouldn't step into the top job if asked, Sterling suggested former Sydney Roosters chief executive Bernie Gurr would be the ideal person to take over.

"He is based in the States, but don't be fooled by that. He is a pre-eminent thinker when it comes to rugby league, he has stayed very close to the NRL," Sterling said.