Controversial Peter O’Sullivan on Manly radar for key position as Trent Barrett leave rumours grow
MANLY is expected to meet the controversial Peter O’Sullivan about becoming the Sea Eagles’ new recruitment manager amid reports coach Trent Barrett may look at leaving the club.
NRL
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MANLY is expected to meet former Roosters official Peter O’Sullivan about becoming the Sea Eagles’ new recruitment manager.
The controversial O’Sullivan was banned from the NRL back in October, 2016, after the league cancelled his registration.
O’Sullivan was stood down and forced to explain why a substantial amount of money had been deposited into his account by former brothel owner Eddie Hayson.
At the time, the NRL integrity unit had been probing whether O’Sullivan was a “fit and proper” person to be in rugby league.
The NRL though will now strongly consider allowing O’Sullivan — known as one of rugby league’s finest talent spotters — back into the game.
The governing body hasn’t formally announced O’Sullivan’s return because no club had officially offered the former Storm recruitment manager a full-time position.
O’Sullivan had previously been linked to the New Zealand Warriors.
Manly won’t officially interview him but club officials will meet with O’Sullivan among other possible candidates.
It comes amid reports coach Trent Barrett may look at leaving.
Channel 9 on Wednesday night reported Barrett and his manager, Wayne Beavis, met with a lawyer in Sydney.
The report suggested Barrett could walk away after this year through a breach of contract.
It was claimed Barrett hadn’t received the support staff he was promised when he joined Manly.
One of those vacancies was recruitment manager, a position which should shortly be filled.
Manly chief executive Lyall Gorman said Wednesday’s meeting was a “personal matter” for Barrett and not football related.
“The coach’s contract runs until 2020 — he and I work together on a daily basis and he is totally committed to the club and the playing group,” Gorman said.
Gorman said another sign of club security was the decision to extend the assistant coach John Cartwright.
Barrett didn’t call Wednesday’s city meeting — it was arranged by a third party.
It is known though that Barrett has no intention of quitting. He wants to fight the fight with his playing group, particularly the Trbojevic brothers, Jake and Tom.
Barrett and Manly chairman Scott Penn were unavailable for comment.
Manly is preparing for a big match against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday at Allianz Stadium.