Anthony Seibold admits to past ‘failure’ before taking on Manly coaching job
The incoming Manly coach has opened up on the mistakes “he wouldn’t make again” ahead of his controversial return to NRL coaching.
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Anthony Seibold has accepted his previous coaching failures after being announced as Manly’s new head coach for 2023 and beyond.
The 48-year-old will take over at the Sea Eagles amid a turbulent period following the brutal axing of club legend Des Hasler and rumours of unrest among the team’s superstars.
However Seibold is confident he has the skillset and experience to turn it all around on the Northern Beaches – having learned from the struggles that led to him being sacked two years into his five-year coaching contract in Brisbane in 2020.
“I believe I’m a good coach, I’ve shown that through the majority of my career,” Seibold told 9News.
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#EXCLUSIVE: Incoming @SeaEagles coach Anthony Seibold admits it would have been easy to walk away from the #NRL for good after his humiliating exit from the Broncos.
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) November 8, 2022
But Seibold believes that hardship has him well prepared for his arrival at Manly. @emmalawrence90#9Newspic.twitter.com/Rp5IPTDUUI
“But I’ve also failed. And I think I’ve learned a lot from the failures.
“I’ve made some decisions I potentially wouldn’t make again, but we’re all human.
“One of my biggest strengths I think is making relationships with players, and I didn’t get that right (at Brisbane) for some reason.
“I think I did help a lot of the younger players and still have a lot of good relationships with them.
“It’s been fantastic to see guys like Kotoni Staggs, Herbie Farnworth and Tommy Dearden go on.
“I always thought I would get another opportunity, I didn’t know where it would be.”
The former NRL player was named Dally M Coach of the Year in 2018 while coaching South Sydney before taking a mammoth five-year deal at the Broncos.
The team quickly unravelled under Seibold’s tutelage, with bizarre coaching methods and poor relationships with players blamed for the demise of the NRL powerhouse.
“The easy thing after getting knocked down on the canvas would be to give coaching away,” Seibold said.
“But I go (to Manly) with great optimism, and I wouldn’t go there if I didn’t think I could bring something to the playing group.”
Seibold will return to Australia and join the Sea Eagles in coming weeks upon completion of his assistant coaching stint under Eddie Jones for England’s national rugby team.
He will team up with newly-announced assistant coaches Shane Flanagan and Jim Dymock at Brookvale, with the club desperately looking to turn around their fortunes following an 11th placed finish in 2022.
“Anthony has an incredible knowledge of the game and what is required at the highest level,’’ Manly CEO Tony Mestrov said.
“We believe Anthony is the ideal person to lead this very talented and strong playing group to achieve success in the years ahead.
“Shane brings a wealth of experience to the club and has a great understanding of the pressure and demands associated with the NRL. He will be invaluable to Anthony and the Sea Eagles.
“Jim has an enormous amount of respect across the NRL, both as a former player and as a coach. He knows what needs to be done, having represented NSW, Australia and Tonga. He is also a Clive Churchill Medal winner.
“We welcome Anthony, Shane and Jim to the Sea Eagles. There is plenty of exciting times ahead at Manly.”
Originally published as Anthony Seibold admits to past ‘failure’ before taking on Manly coaching job
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