Scott Penn reveals top four demand as Des Hasler’s Manly return looms
MANLY chairman Scott Penn has declared he is happy to work with Des Hasler as long as the former Sea Eagles mentor can fulfil the club’s lofty goal every season.
MANLY chairman Scott Penn has declared he is happy to work with Des Hasler as long as the former Sea Eagles mentor can fulfil the club’s goal of a top-four finish every season.
Penn’s declaration comes as Hasler is considering a return to the northern beaches club where he made his coaching debut 15 years ago.
The two-time Manly premiership-winning coach only has to agree to the Sea Eagles’ terms to take on a three-year deal.
Penn refused to say Hasler had the job but confirmed he was in the running to return to the club.
He also said he’d happily bury the hatchet with Hasler following the mentor’s unpleasant departure from Manly in 2011 when he fell out with club officials.
“If Des can deliver our objective, and that is being a top -four contender every year, then of course we would be interested,” Penn told The Sunday Telegraph.
“As we have said the whole time, we will do what is in the best interests of the club and ensuring the club gets back to where we need it to be.
“We are in final discussions with a number of candidates who we believe can do the job and Des is one of those people.”
If Hasler returns to Manly, a number of his former staff members will follow him back to Brookvale.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal conditioner Don Singe, who also followed Hasler to Canterbury, is keen to return to Manly.
During his time at the Sea Eagles, Singe played a vital role in helping the club build a strong culture that resulted in two premierships in 2008 and 2011.
Manly are expected to announce their new coach next week, with Hasler in the box seat to return should he decide to take up the deal.
Assistant John Cartwright was thought to be the frontrunner to take over from Trent Barrett and has publicly received the backing of senior players Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom and Jake Trbojevic.
Barrett is serving a 12-month notice period after quitting the club in July but is expected to sever ties in the coming weeks.
Hasler was responsible for rebuilding Manly after the disastrous Northern Eagles merger and transformed the club into a powerhouse, taking them to three grand finals and two premierships between 2004 and 2011.
Hasler was sacked from Manly following their 2011 grand final win after it was revealed he had signed with Canterbury and the Sea Eagles accused him of attempting to lure staff members to follow him to Belmore.
Penn said then: “If he wants to bring it on in court, let’s go.”
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Originally published as Scott Penn reveals top four demand as Des Hasler’s Manly return looms
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