Manly coach Trent Barrett dismisses talk he will quit embattled Sea Eagles
SPECULATION and rumour continue to swirl around the battling Sea Eagles but Trent Barrett says he will not walk away from the club in their hour of need.
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IT was the thumbs up emoji that showed a defiant Trent Barrett is here to stay.
Barrett and The Daily Telegraph exchanged text messages on Thursday about whether the Sea Eagles coach would remain in charge at Brookvale.
Asked would he stay for the fight, Barrett texted back a thumbs up emoji.
It was simple yet emphatic.
He added: “We just need a win. I haven’t got much more to say, mate. Talk later, Bulldog.”
Reports emerged this week that Barrett was considering leaving with Manly allegedly in breach of contract.
It was claimed Barrett hadn’t received the support staff he was promised when he joined Manly in 2016.
He remains under contract at Brookvale until the end of 2020.
The past month has worn Barrett down.
Friends claim though he is desperately attempting to remain energised as his team tries to correct their derailed season.
Manly players stuck solid behind Barrett and were shocked to hear speculation he may quit.
Barrett gathered around his players and told them he was staying at the embattled club.
“He said he was staying — I was totally surprised by the fact he brought it up just then,” said Manly hooker Api Koroisau. “I don’t read the papers and stay offline as much as I can.”
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Sea Eagles forward Frank Winterstein was another staunchly behind Barrett.
“He (Barrett) addressed us and told us not to listen what’s going on out there,” Winterstein said. “He reassured us he’s not going anywhere.
“I one-hundred per cent believe that. He’s been honest in my time at the club. Not winning doesn’t help. You guys, the press comes out and is (clutching) at straws.”
Another ally to come forward was St George Illawarra coach, Paul McGregor.
Barrett and McGregor played together in St George Illawarra’s 1999 grand final loss to Melbourne.
McGregor was a mentor to a young Barrett, who joined the Wollongong club from Temora.
“He’s not going to go anywhere,” McGregor told The Daily Telegraph. “’Baz’ will work through it.
“At some stage, everyone goes through what he’s going through now. It takes time after taking over a roster.
“He’s a strong man, Baz. He’ll be right. I chat with Trent often. He’s fine.”
Manly officials started interviewing for a new recruitment manager.
The club was expected to meet with former Roosters and Melbourne Storm recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan about the position.