Sea Eagles coaches Des Hasler, Trent Barrett stay away from club
THE Sea Eagles’ two head coaches were expected to start work at the club’s Narrabeen headquarters on Monday morning — but neither turned up.
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THE confusion continued at Manly when the club’s two head coaches were expected to start work on Monday morning — but neither showed up.
As of Sunday night, outgoing coach Trent Barrett had planned to turn up for work at the club’s Narrabeen headquarters.
He didn’t arrive for what was supposed to be his first day back from holidays. Instead, it’s understood Barrett was in meetings with his legal representatives after further legal letters were exchanged with the club over the weekend.
Incoming coach Des Hasler heard Barrett may be at Narrabeen on Monday morning so he didn’t appear either to avoid any embarrassment.
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While adamant it isn’t personal, Hasler has made it clear he does not want Barrett around Manly HQ as he serves his 12-month notice, having resigned last July.
Well-placed sources claim Hasler has been strongly urging Manly CEO Lyall Gorman to fix the problem so he can get on with coaching.
Gorman wasn’t at Narrabeen yesterday either. The Daily Telegraph yesterday waited at Narrabeen in vain all morning for either Hasler or Barrett to arrive.
Several members were of Manly’s coaching staff were there — strength and conditioning trainer Don Singe, head trainer Alex Ross, physio Andre Rickenbach and media manager Wayne Cousins.
While the team isn’t due back until early next month, one player, Curtis Sironen, was at the club yesterday, completing some sprint work after ACL surgery this year.
But no coaches.
The doors to Manly’s football offices were closed most of the morning. Manly co-owner Scott Penn would not comment on Monday night.
The Sea Eagles rejected a payout request from Barrett just last week and the matter could still end up in court. Barrett and Manly continue to circle each other for possible breaches of contract.
Manly players are expected back to off-season early next month.
Gorman has stated he hoped the drama with Barrett could be solved within the next week.
Penn has defended the decision to appoint Hasler while still having Barrett as head coach.
Barrett still has one year remaining on his contract, Manly wanting him to see out his 12-month notice period - which would end in July - rather than offer a payout.
Hasler was asked about Barrett just last week when appointed head coach at Brookvale.
“To tell you the truth, I haven’t had any discussion around that and there’ve been the negotiations I’ve had — there’s been no discussions about Trent,” Hasler said.
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