NRL 2022: Des Hasler’s legal threat to Manly over pride jersey fiasco

Des Hasler and Manly could be on a collison course in the courts as the coach’s Sea Eagles career remains on a knife edge.

Des Hasler, Anthony Seibold and Josh Hannay.

Anthony Seibold’s NRL coaching return could only be days away as part of a proposal put to Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.

Hasler has also been presented with a host of changes he must adhere to in order to remain in charge of Manly next year. They centre around Hasler relinquishing power not directly associated with coaching.

It is understood Hasler is considering legal action against the club surrounding the pride jersey fiasco. Hasler would have automatically triggered a 12-month extension on his deal if the Sea Eagles finished in the top six. However their season imploded.

He will argue he did not consent to the jersey being worn. The Sea Eagles lost that match against the Roosters and did not win another game.

Seibold has been earmarked by Manly management as the coach to lead the Sea Eagles long-term. It comes after a raft of meetings have occurred in the past 48 hours with Hasler, his management and Seibold’s management.

Hasler has been presented with an ultimatum by Sea Eagles officials which includes relinquishing power in terms of roster management and allowing the club to appoint his assistant coach.

That appointment would be Seibold. Seibold would be given a 12-month deal to work under Hasler before being appointed head coach for 2024.

In-demand Sharks assistant Josh Hannay. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Hasler has presented a succession plan of his own. That includes a 12-month extension to allow him to remain as head coach until the end of 2024 and appointing Cronulla assistant coach Josh Hannay as his successor.

Hannay would work under Hasler for the next two seasons before taking on the job full-time. It is understood the club is lukewarm on that proposal and instead wants Seibold to lead the club.

If Hasler does not accept the club’s proposal then there is a genuine possibility he has coached his last game at the club despite having 12 months left on his contract.

If Hasler and the club part ways then Seibold will be appointed immediately. It is understood the club want to finalise the situation by early next week meaning Hasler’s fate could be decided before the weekend.

His position is almost becoming untenable given the club’s desire for Hasler to not only cede power but appoint a clear succession plan to replace the 61-year-old.

Hannay has strong connections with Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans through the Queensland Origin camp, where he has worked as an assistant under both Kevin Walters and now Billy Slater.

He is also an integral part of Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s staff, having helped the Sharks into a top-two finish.

Key figures at Manly, including Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers – Tom and Jake, have previously worked under Seibold. Seibold spent one season as an assistant at Manly under Trent Barrett.

Former Broncos coach Anthony Seibold was a former assistant coach at the Sea Eagles. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Seibold had success in his one season at South Sydney – he was named Dally M coach of the year – before an ill-fated stint at Brisbane. He worked with Adam O’Brien at Newcastle last year and is part of Eddie Jones’ staff with England rugby union.

Manly owner Scott Penn returned from New York this week to finalise the matter, which has simmered since the Sea Eagles’ season ended with a series of disappointing defeats.

Those results, which followed the pride jersey debacle, placed the spotlight on Hasler and his future. Manly officials have spent weeks attempting to resolve the issue but have made little progress, prompting crunch talks this week aimed at resolving the matter.

The Sea Eagles need a new assistant coach after Chad Randall left to join new Bulldogs mentor Cameron Ciraldo at Belmore.

HASLER’S BATTLE TO SURVIVE AT MANLY TAKES ANOTHER TURN

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has distanced himself from the bunfight at Manly as chair and owner Scott Penn jets back into the country from New York to front a board meeting that will determine the future of coach Des Hasler.

Sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed that a meeting would be held in coming days and that Hasler’s tenure would be at the top of the agenda as the club looks to end the uncertainty around the two-time premiership winner.

The coach and club have been at loggerheads since the end of the season and there is every chance Hasler has coached his last game at Manly. The only issue may be whether he is sacked or opts to walk away.

In a bid to appease the club’s demands, News Corp understands Hasler has been working on a succession plan that would result in him eventually stepping aside of his own volition — Cronulla assistant Josh Hannay is believed to be his preferred option to take over.

Des Hasler’s future at Manly could become clearer after a board meeting next week. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

However, it is understood Manly has internally discussed a number of coaching alternatives, among them Shane Flanagan, Dean Young, Ben Hornby and Jason Ryles.

Former South Sydney and Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold — currently working with Eddie Jones at England rugby union — also has support within the club.

Seibold is a former assistant at the Sea Eagles and lives on Sydney’s northern beaches only a stone’s throw from 4 Pines Park. Key figures at the club, including Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers — Tom and Jake, have previously worked under Seibold.

It is understood Sea Eagles officials are also ready to bring in a senior figure in a consultancy role to work with the coach.

That position was likely earmarked for Hasler as part of his transition post-coaching but should he leave the club in acrimonious circumstances, it is likely Manly officials would explore alternative options.

Interest in new coaches will hinge on the outcome of talks with Hasler in coming days. News Corp has been told that relations between the club and their coach have soured to the extent that much of their communication is now being conducted through lawyers.

Senior figures at Manly have denied those claims, although they acknowledge progress has been slow. It is understood the parties have made little progress since the situation exploded a month ago amid revelations from News Corp that the Sea Eagles were confronting a myriad of issues heading into the off-season.

The most significant was the future of Hasler, who has one year remaining on his contract and has been pushing for an extension as part of a succession plan that would see him eventually step aside.

Cherry-Evans was keen to avoid discussing the situation on Wednesday as he joined the Kangaroos in camp for the upcoming World Cup tour.

Sharks assistant coach Cronulla Josh Hannay has support to succeed Des Hasler as Manly coach.

“I have said my piece on it and there is really not much for me to elaborate on because nothing has changed,” Cherry-Evans said.

“As a player that is one thing I have learnt over the last few weeks — I can only control how we go about playing next year. I am looking forward to getting in there in the pre-season and helping turn things around.”

Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will fly to England on Thursday to begin Australia’s defence of the World Cup.

“I always stay in contact with Des,” Cherry-Evans said.

“We have a great relationship as coach and captain at Manly. That is why I always endorse him — because we do have such a good relationship.

“It is not for me to get in the way of the club and his relationship. They obviously have business to sort out and I am sure they will get it done by the time we get back for pre-season.”

Time is of the essence for Manly. Assistant Chad Randall has already left to join Canterbury and the club is yet to identify a replacement. That process is being stalled by uncertainty around the coach.

Player recruitment will also become an issue unless things are resolved.

Penn said the club had been clear with Hasler that things had to change.

“We’re clear that we need the football department we want for 2023 and beyond and we’re working through that. We are looking for a clear succession plan,” Penn said.

“The reality is we need to make some changes and we are going through a process with Des. Clearly next year we would expect to make the finals. Absolutely we have a premiership-contending team and we want them to get reward for effort.

“We are telling Des what we’re looking for. It’s a process and there’s give and take. He could decide that’s not what he wants to do. That’s a possibility.

“The important thing is that we do have a succession plan going forward. That’s what we’re working through. Who that might likely be or it could potentially be a couple of people?”

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