NRL news: Contract negotiations between Anthony Seibold and the Sea Eagles break down

Contract talks between Manly and Anthony Seibold are ‘on hold’ with the struggling Sea Eagles refusing to be rushed into any extension for the under-fire coach.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Anthony Seibold, head coach of the Sea Eagles looks on during a Manly Sea Eagles NRL training session at 4 Pines Park on April 16, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The long-term future of Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold is in doubt at Brookvale after a breakdown in negotiations over a new contract.

Seibold is under contract until the end of next season and was in talks for a multi-million-dollar extension.

However the situation has changed after Manly has lost its last three games.

Manly sources say Seibold angrily left a meeting with the club management on Thursday morning.

“It’s a results driven business and we won’t be rushed,” the source said.

It’s interesting in that the breakdown has occurred in the same week that Brad Arthur lost his job at the Parramatta Eels.

Arthur has previously worked as an assistant coach at Manly and was approached by the club several years ago in regards to the head coach role.

Seibold and his manager Isaac Moses had been in talks with the Sea Eagles for several weeks.

This masthead understands those discussions have now been put on hold.

Anthony Seibold. Picture: Getty Images

It is a difficult one for Manly CEO Tony Mestrov because he is so close to Seibold.

“I don’t think it’s an issue because Anthony is under contract for another 12 months,” Mestrov said.

“We will continue to have discussions with his agent at the appropriate time.”

After looking like a top-four contender earlier in the season, Manly has stumbled in recent weeks.

They have lost to the Broncos, Dolphins and Raiders in the last three weeks.

We spoke to Seibold after he finished captain’s run on Thursday afternoon.

He was careful with his words to not inflame the situation.

“The club’s put talks on hold and I’ve got no drama with that,” he said.

“I’ve got another year and a half to go and I want to stay beyond that.

“I’m not too concerned. If I’m doing a good job it won’t be a problem.

Anthony Seibold made a blistering start to his Manly coaching career. Picture: David Becker

“We’ve got a game of football against Storm and that’s all I’m concerned about right now.”

This masthead recently revealed Seibold had given up $150,000 of his own money to pay a release fee to the English Rugby Union to get the job at Brookvale.

It has been a hugely turbulent period for head coaches in recent weeks following the sackings of Jason Demetriou and Brad Arthur.

This masthead has reached out to Seibold’s agent Moses for comment.

We revealed a month ago that Seibold and Manly officials had an agreement to negotiate a new deal after Round 10.

At the time they were not aware Arthur was available.

Manly missed out on the finals last year and are now running 10th on the ladder, hence the decision to hold fire on contract extension talks.