Des Hasler officially sacked as Manly Sea Eagles coach following board meeting
Des Hasler’s time at Manly is officially over but the ill feeling between coach and club is only starting. Find out why Manly acted now and what could unfold next.
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Des Hasler’s second stint at Manly has ended like his first – locked in a legal battle - with the club reluctant to pay out any significant money to their now former coach as star fullback Tom Trbojevic prepares to meet his manager.
Hasler’s second coming at Manly is over after he was axed in an unanimous decision by the Sea Eagles board on Thursday morning. The club will now negotiate his pay out with lawyers as they look to fast-track Hasler’s exit from Brookvale.
Hasler is understood to be wanting about $1 million having been contracted for next season. Any pay out would likely include a clause removing Hasler’s rights to sue over the pride jersey fiasco.
Both parties have engaged lawyers with Hasler’s contractual payout about $500,000. However there is a suggestion that the Sea Eagles believe that figure could be minimal as they explore the potential that Hasler brought the club into disrepute which eventually led to his axing.
He fell foul of management for his highly praised speech regarding the pride jersey fiasco where he was critical of the club’s hierarchy.
Hasler labelled the club’s management “poor” during his emotional apology.
News broke of Hasler’s immediate departure before midday. Manly officials spent Thursday speaking with players and telling them of their decision.
Manly chairman Scott Penn said the club gave the decision “careful consideration.”
“We are grateful and appreciative to Des for his dedication to the club, the team, all of its supporters and the sponsors over a long period of time,” Penn said. “Des will always remain an icon of the Club and an integral part of the Club’s history.
“The club is in discussions with Des and his management to try to reach an amicable resolution which is acceptable to the parties”.
Hasler’s sudden axing occurred in the early hours of the morning in England where a host of Manly big names including Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic, Josh Aloiai and Haumole Olaka’uatu are for World Cup duties.
Tom Trbojevic has scheduled an emergency meeting with his agent on Friday. Trobjevic will have a Zoom meeting with his meeting Paul Sutton as he becomes increasingly agitated at the situation unfolding at the Sea Eagles. While it is highly unlikely the fullback will want out of the club there is naturally a growing angst about the direction of the club.
It comes just a day after Sutton told News Corp that Tom and brother Jake felt the club was “imploding”.
Also in the firing line is Hasler’s long-term head of performance Don Singe and ex-skipper turned assistant coach Michael Monaghan.
Hasler’s other assistant Chad Randall has joined Bulldogs.
Highly regarded Steve Hales is expected to remain at the club.
Anthony Seibold will be the new Sea Eagles coach although the club will not make that official until they sort through Hasler’s termination.
He will start finalising his own coaching staff. Already former NSW and Kangaroos skipper Laurie Daley has been mentioned as a potential consultant.
Brad Fittler was also identified as a potential hire but he is unable to combine the role with his position as NSW coach.
Less than 24 hours ago Hasler essentially called the club’s bluff by agreeing to a raft of restrictions placed on him to ensure he coached the final year of his deal.
But the damage had already been done.
He leaves Manly with the second most coached games in the club’s history and a two time premiership winner.
The Daily Telegraph spoke with Hasler on Thursday but he declined to comment. He did, however, express a quiet sadness for his players.
Those close to Hasler claimed he knew the axe was hovering.
He wanted to insert Cronulla assistant Josh Hannay as his successor but the club were already keen on locking in Seibold to a long-term deal.
Seibold – who spent a season at the Sea Eagles as an assistant under Trent Barrett – will lead his third club after stints at South Sydney and Brisbane.
Hasler left the club in bitter circumstances in 2012 and his relationship with owner Penn never fully recovered despite Hasler’s return in 2019.
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