Manly coach Trent Barrett fires back at Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn

TRENT Barrett’s frustration at a perceived lack of support from his club was compounded when the Manly board ignored a long list of complaints that pushed the coach to the brink.

Trent Barrett and Scott Penn are not on speaking terms.

TRENT Barrett felt so let down by a perceived lack of support at Manly that his high-profile manager sent the club a long list of the coach’s grievances.

The feud between Barrett and Manly chairman Scott Penn can be traced back to this litany of complaints which the Sea Eagles boss flatly rejected.

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‘DISAPPOINTED’: Penn turns on Barrett

Barrett’s move from Manly is getting ugly. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

The Daily Telegraph understands leading manager Wayne Beavis emailed a long list of complaints about how the club had allegedly failed to support Barrett.

Penn’s dismissal of each and every one of Barrett’s concerns shows just how far apart the pair’s views were on the Sea Eagles’ plight.

The tally of criticisms kickstarted Barrett’s ultimate exit, and legal discussions between both parties.

Penn wasn’t slow to share his perspective. (Tim Hunter)

Assistant coach John Cartwright was firming as the favourite to replace Barrett.

Barrett fronted the media on Wednesday to express “disappointment” after Penn launched an extraordinary attack on his outgoing coach in The Daily Telegraph.

In it, an outspoken Penn said he was “deeply unhappy” at the situation and stressed Barrett’s decision to quit Manly “wasn’t in the spirit of the club.”

Manly believed Barrett tendered his resignation in mid-July after being offered a coaching position at Penrith, something Panthers general manager of football, Phil Gould, emphatically denied yesterday.

“Never ever spoke to Trent about the Panthers, let alone offer him a job,” Gould said.

Barrett retains the players’ support. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Well-connected said the email Beavis sent pointed out where Manly’s alleged promises to Barrett had been broken.

“Barrett’s manager told Manly in mid-July the coach wasn’t happy and here was a list of issues,” a source said. “I know the Penns rejected them, went back again, and refuted them again

“They thought the list was bullshit. The club has had injuries, Gladstone, salary cap, issue after issue but it (Barrett’s resignation) was still totally out of left field. The Penns were stunned.”

Barrett’s manager Wayne Beavis.

The Daily Telegraph understands Barrett and Penn haven’t spoken for some time.

Barrett looked visibly upset when taking questions about Penn’s comments.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with what was written today or what we woke up to in the Telegraph,” said Barrett as he prepares for Thursday’s match against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

“I sat here last week and said I wasn’t going to comment on things that were going on. I want to honour what I said that we wouldn’t make public comment on it until the end of the season.

“In light of (the story) this morning, I will make a statement in due course.”

Asked did he feel let down by Penn’s comments, Barrett said: “I won’t say much too much on it. I was of the understanding … I’ve had to front up to some pretty heavy press conferences over the last month about it, and I have declined to comment, and tried to do things with a lot of dignity.

“It’s tough for me to stand here today and not say anything at all as well. I have a team in there again, I have to prepare them for a footy game and that’s what I’ll do.”

It’s been one thing after another this season. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Barrett was pressed on whether, as suggested by Penn, he failed to act “in the spirit of the club.”

“Anything I say will be pretty controversial today so I’m going to won’t fall into that,” Barrett said. “It’s been difficult. Certainly it’s not something you want to go through.

“It’s not just us, it’s the club, players and your family, but as I’ve said, my main focus is I have job to do.

“I’ll have a sit down and think about when we do say something. I’m disappointed we didn’t make any public statement for a long time, I’ve had to sit here with cameras in my face for a while, I’ve done that [not comment]. We just have to get on with it now.”

Manly held a captain’s run at Brookvale on Wednesday. It is understood club CEO Lyall Gorman attended the training session.

Barrett stressed he supported his players — and they supported him.

“Players know exactly where I stand with them. I’m very proud of all the blokes I’ve got in that dressing shed. They’re terrific young men. And there are some very good players in there and some really good players in there,” Barrett said.

“They’re my focus. I’m committed to them. My aim is to win the next two games.”

Barrett has promised to have his say. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Asked would he have liked to have told the players he was staying long-term, Barrett said: “One hundred per cent you’d like to be able to say that.

“But it’s been difficult. Out of circumstances, we probably can’t say everything that you want to say. I know the players have got my back and I’ve got theirs. That’s the most important thing.”

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Originally published as Manly coach Trent Barrett fires back at Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn