Des vs Manly: Former coach takes Sea Eagles to court - after being sacked following pride jersey saga

More than a year after he was sacked, Des Hasler is taking Manly to court - and the club is vowing to not back down against their legendary former coach.

Des v Manly is set to play out in the Supreme Court.

Manly and Des Hasler are set to go head-to-head in court over his termination almost one year after the Sea Eagles sacked their former coach, following a season that was derailed after the Pride jersey saga.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal civil proceedings Hasler has commenced in the NSW Supreme Court over his treatment at the hands of Manly which are set to get underway on October 20, more than 12 months after he first forecast his intention to sue.

Hasler is seeking compensation after his contract was terminated in October last year with a year to run.

It is understood Manly’s lawyers and Hasler’s legal team had been in regular contact in the hope of settling the matter out-of-court, before those conversations ultimately broke down.

Des Hasler has launched civil action against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NSW Supreme Court. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Manly CEO Tony Mestrov announces Anthony Seibold as head coach, a month after the sacking of Hasler. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The Sea Eagles then awaited Hasler’s legal action – which was filed in late-August – and sources said they are intent on vigorously defending themselves over their decision to sack the 62-year-old coach.

“The club won’t be taking a backward step and is ready to defend the claim in court,” a Manly spokesman said.

Hasler will be represented by Sydney lawyer Dan McGirr.

Hasler was outspoken about Manly’s handling of the Pride jersey saga, which resulted in seven of the club’s starting side choosing to sit out their round 18 clash with the Sydney Roosters last July.

Josh Aloiai, Toafofoa Sipley, Tolutau Koula, Christian Tuipulotu, Haumole Olakau’atu, Jason Saab and Josh Schuster cited “cultural and religious” reasons for refusing to play in the one-off rainbow jumper.

Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman was pictured in the Manly Sea Eagles Pride jersey, before the Manly playing group was told – causing a divide in the club. Picture: Supplied

Hasler publicly apologised to those players and pointed the finger at “poor management” in press conference.

“Sadly, the execution of what was intended to be an extremely important and initiative was poor,” Hasler said.

In the aftermath of that incident the team suffered a seven-match losing streak, taking them from inside the top eight to an 11th place finish at season’s end.

Hasler had been hopeful of triggering an extension to his contract for 2024 with a top-eight finish in 2022 but ultimately found himself sacked, with Anthony Seibold brought in to replace him at Brookvale, in stark contrast to his first stint at the club in which he won a premiership in 2011.

At season’s end Manly chairman Scott Penn announced Hasler’s sacking, saying: “After careful consideration, the board of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles has unanimously decided that, in the best interests of the club, Des Hasler will not be head coach of the club for NRL season 2023.

Hasler (with Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans) apologised to the seven players who sat out for the club’s “poor management” of the Pride jersey scandal. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

“Des will always remain an icon of the club and an integral part of the club’s history.”

The former Bulldogs and Sea Eagles coach signed a three-year deal with Gold Coast Titans in July, and is set to formally start at Robina next month.

Hasler’s career includes a history of his coaching relationships ending up in a courtroom.

In 2017 he sued the Bulldogs for $2.4 million just two months after he was booted out of Belmore with two years left on his contract, before the two sides ultimately settled out of court.