NRL 2022: Manly’s pursuit of Shane Flanagan turns nasty with friends urging him to turn down deal

A feud is brewing over Manly’s pursuit of Shane Flanagan, with management angry after Anthony Seibold bypassed them to speak directly to the former Cronulla coach.

Des Hasler's team is being ripped apart

NRL premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan is being hunted by Manly to become an assistant coach – but the offer is causing anger, distrust and complications.

Flanagan’s management team know the former Sharks premiership-winning coach has solid employment at St George Illawarra as a roster management consultant, Fox Sports, where he commentates on NRL games, and 2GB’s Continuous Call team.

Friends have questioned whether Flanagan’s salary at Manly could go close to matching his current income and are recommending Flanagan rejects Manly’s offer.

Flanagan would also have to commute between the Sutherland Shire and the northern beaches at least four times a week.

Remaining as an assistant under incoming coach Anthony Seibold for a further three years could also hurt Flanagan’s chances to again become a head coach, his management team say.

Seibold has essentially taken over recruitment of his football and coaching staff for next season.

Shane Flanagan’s management have warned joining Manly could hurt future head coaching prospects. Picture: AAP.

The Daily Telegraph understands Seibold has bypassed Flanagan’s management by speaking directly to the former Cronulla coach.

It is a move which has angered Flanagan’s management. Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov has spoken to Flanagan’s manager once but not directly to Flanagan.

Flanagan often seeks counsel from his former manager, Wayne Beavis, the pair remaining close friends. Beavis is aware of what is unfolding.

No offer has been made to Flanagan’s manager but the deal is progressing anyway.

Seibold’s management team is now helping the process given the Sea Eagles’ coach-in-waiting is working overseas, another surprise for Flanagan’s management, who have concerns over Manly’s embattled state.

Despite being in Britain helping Eddie Jones coach the English rugby union side, Seibold is working the phones to nail down his coaching staff.

Like previous coach Des Hasler, Seibold will be given an amount of money from which he pays and distributes to his coaching staff.

There were suggestions Flanagan had a clause in his Dragons contract stating he could only leave early to become an NRL head coach, not an assistant.

St George Illawarra officials have denied any clause exists.

Anger is growing after Anthony Seibold reportedly bypassed management to speak directly to Flanagan. Picture: Getty Images.

Flanagan is also in England for the World Cup helping and guiding Papua New Guinea, who suffered a late, heartbreaking 24-18 loss to Tonga in St Helens on Wednesday morning.

Former Test player Jim Dymock has also been linked to Manly as an assistant coach.

Manly has been forced to cull a chunk of its staff to make way for Seibold’s reign.

Hasler, assistants Michael Monaghan and Chad Randall, head of high performance Don Singe and sprint Rubin Ruzicka have parted company with the club in recent weeks.

Seibold isn’t due back from England until the end of November - a fortnight after Manly start off-season training.

If employed by Manly, Flanagan would take over for those opening two weeks of training and still harbours an insatiable desire to coach.

Manly is due to announce Seibold’s signing shortly, possibly this week. Dymock ended his role with Gold Coast Titans in July this year.

MANLY MOVE TO ERASE HASLER FROM HISTORY

Des Hasler’s coaching staff at Manly is being sliced and diced.

The Sea Eagles have axed another member of Hasler’s former coaching staff – assistant Michael Monaghan.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the club dumped Monaghan on Monday night.

It is understood Monaghan was told of his demise in a phone call from incoming coach Anthony Seibold.

Hasler was sensationally sacked last week with long-time club head of high performance Don Singe resigning on Monday evening.

Assistant coach Chad Randall has walked out for Canterbury while speculation continues that Manly sprint coach Rubin Ruzicka will also join the Bulldogs.

Anthony Seibold will take over at Manly in November. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Ruzicka worked closely with Manly star Tom Trbojevic.

Monaghan had previously been linked with Gold Coast and Canberra but had hoped to remain at Brookvale for another season.

Seibold appears to be making the decisions despite not yet having been announced as Manly coach.

It appears certain that former Sharks premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan will join Manly as an assistant for next season.

Don Singe resigned on Monday. Picture: John Grainger

Jim Dymock has been tipped to join Manly as an assistant coach. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

An announcement on Flanagan will be made after the club officially names Seibold as head coach.

Seibold is in England helping Eddie Jones coach the English rugby union side in four Tests matches through November.

He will not return and start his new job at Manly until the end of November – a fortnight after the Sea Eagles start off-season training.

Flanagan, who hasn’t coached at NRL level since stepping away from Cronulla in 2018, may be called on to take over the early weeks of summer training while Seibold is absent.

There was also speculation on Tuesday linking the much-liked Jim Dymock to an assistant coaching position at Manly.

Shane Flanagan may take the reins at Manly while Seibold is in the UK. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Dymock, who left Gold Coast Titans during this year, previously worked under Hasler at Belmore.

The Daily Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that Hasler’s lawyer has fired off a legal letter to Manly demanding the club pay his client $1m.

Sydney lawyer Daniel McGirr emailed the correspondence to Manly on Monday afternoon. The move is certain to trigger an ugly legal battle between the two parties.

Hasler’s legal team wants the former Manly coach to be paid in full for 2023 - amounting to around $1m.

And McGirr may also seek further damages and costs incurred for 2024 where he will claim Hasler was denied the right to trigger a contract extension.