NRL 2022: Des Hasler’s coaching career at Manly Sea Eagles appears almost certainly over

From top four to out the door. The dramatic collapse of the Manly Sea Eagles in 12 months is set to end in a bitter divorce with coach Des Hasler.

New Manly CEO Tony Mestrov at Brookvale Oval. Picture: Justin Lloyd

In what would be a sad and undignified exit, Des Hasler is almost certain to have coached his final game at Manly.

The Daily Telegraph has been told the chances of Hasler fulfilling the final season of his existing contract in 2023 are becoming less likely with each day.

After 12 seasons at Brookvale as head coach over two stints, and 12 years previously as a player, Hasler’s reign at the club has become untenable.

The arm wrestle between Hasler and the club over a 2024 contract extension is likely to end with the legendary coach walking away in coming days.

Manly want Hasler to remain in 2023 but hand over significant power to his replacement, likely to be former Souths and Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold, who would then take over as head coach in 2024.

Des Hasler’s position at Manly has become untenable.

Hasler has always worked independently and unaccompanied. Those close to Hasler claim he couldn’t – and won’t — work with another coach.

As difficult as it was to digest, Hasler is abundantly aware his beloved Sea Eagles don’t want him. It is an unthinkable situation given just 12 months ago Manly had finished in the top four.

While there is a slight chance the situation could alter and Hasler would remain next season, it is becoming improbable.

Sources close to the drama indicate Hasler’s current contract allegedly states he has full autonomy over the club’s football department. Hasler being told by the club who he must employ on his coaching staff will only deepen the growing melee.

There remains some chance the matter could end up in the courts.

Supporters of Hasler claim the pride jersey fiasco, and injuries to 11 players, including star fullback Tom Trbojevic, contributed to Manly’s slide out of finals contention this year.

Tom Trbojevic’s injury soured Manly’s season.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Manly chairman and co-owner Scott Penn was unhappy at how Hasler handled the pride jersey mess.

Penn and Manly’s board want to arrest some of Hasler’s influence and power at the club.

Hasler argues privately he assumed more control this year before the club didn’t have a fulltime CEO.

The two-time premiership-winning coach has enormous support among the fans (see story below).

One supporter who sent a text to The Daily Telegraph echoed the sentiments of many by claiming: “I’ve been following the Sea Eagles since 1951 when my brother took me every week to watch them play — I was 6 years old.

“I will never go to another game if they sack Des and replace him with a blow-in with no Manly DNA. Some being mentioned could not train a choko vine over an outdoor toilet.”

Earlier this week, Penn told The Daily Telegraph: “We have been quite clear we weren’t happy with finishing eleventh (this year) and we have to make some changes for next year to make sure we compete.”

Has membership response shown Manly’s hand on Des?

-Dean Ritchie

For the first time, Manly’s front office has revealed the club cannot guarantee Des Hasler will remain head coach next season.

Despite having a contract for 2023, Manly is issuing emails to members stating the club “cannot confirm” Hasler will remain in charge next year.

The Daily Telegraph has secured a sequence of emails between fans and the club which cast considerable doubt over Hasler’s immediate future at Brookvale.

A Manly board meeting, scheduled for early next week, is expected to finalise the club’s position on Hasler.

A lifelong Manly fan, Cam Smith, told the club he will cancel his membership if coach Des Hasler is forced out of Brookvale – and reckons another 1000 fans with follow.

Smith emailed Manly asking that his “repayments do not commence until it’s confirmed Des Hasler is remaining as coach for 2023 as I plan on not renewing my membership if Des is moved on or resigns as coach.”

The response from Manly on Thursday stunned Smith.

Manly fan Cam Smith not renewing his membership...

... the response from the club.

It read: “As we cannot confirm this I am happy to remove you from the automatic rollover until the situation is confirmed. Looking forward to hearing from you.”

Other Manly members received the same email, expressing equal surprise.

There appears an increasingly likelihood that Hasler, who has a contract for next season, won’t be re-signed for 2024.

Manly kickstarted their membership drive for 2023 last week but were met with some early resistance.

A fan revolt seems to be growing on Sydney’s northern beaches over Hasler’s future.

“The club sent out an email regarding next year’s membership. I’ve been a member since 2002. I know I’m not the only one planning on doing this if Des is sacked or forced out,” Smith said.

“Why is there such an urgent need for a succession plan when Hasler - who is in his early 60s - still has a lot to offer? I think easily up to 1000 members won’t renewing if Des is moved on.

“Management’s treatment of Des is totally disrespectful. Before the (pride) jersey drama, and without our best player (injured Tom Trbojevic), we were tracking towards the top eight.

“With the exception of Penrith every other side in the top eight would struggle without their best player.

“After getting email back from the club, I think Des is gone and that makes me very sad. I don’t flip-slop. I have supported Manly for 40-odd years. But I would think about changing teams. That would be unthinkable for me.

“I actually have a Manly tattoo on my shoulder. They have been a big part of my life.”

Anthony Seibold and Josh Hannay are two frontrunners for the top job with Shane Flanagan also being mentioned.

Long-time Manly fan Peter Khoury took to social media to post: “Emailing members asking us to renew for 2023 on the same day the club leaks ‘we’re looking at Anthony Seibold or Shane Flanagan to replace Des.’ Pure sadism.”

New Manly CEO Tony Mestrov at Brookvale Oval. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Other Manly fans took to social media in support of Hasler.

One wrote: “Des is the only coach that can help Manly be in the top eight. He is a great coach who cares for his players.”

And another posted: “Manly collapsing this year was not Des’ fault.”

Manly chairman and co-owner Scott Penn said his club continued to deliberate over Hasler’s future.

“The reality is we need to make some changes (to football department) and we are going through a process with Des. We are looking for a clear succession plan,” Penn said.

“We’ve had a couple of meetings and there will be more to come. The process is still moving. We have been pretty clear what we’re looking for. He is on contract for 2023.”

Asked whether Hasler would be offered an extension for 2024, Penn said: “That’s too early to call.”

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Originally published as NRL 2022: Des Hasler’s coaching career at Manly Sea Eagles appears almost certainly over