Trent Barrett issues Manly Sea Eagles with two more legal letters
THE Manly Sea Eagles face the real prospect of having Trent Barrett and Des Hasler turning up at Narrabeen for the first day of pre-season in Novemeber if the situation isn’t resolved imminently.
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TRENT Barrett and his legal team have sent Manly two more legal letters in a move that could signal an end to the stand-off between the club and coach.
The first letter is believed to detail how the Sea Eagles would be in breach of their contractual obligations if they attempt to change Trent Barrett’s role from head coach.
As it stands the club has maintained that Barrett resigned from his post and should see out his 12-month notice period, which is scheduled to end in July.
Barrett expects to remain as head coach until the notice period has been served.
This means the Sea Eagles, who have since employed Des Hasler, are facing the prospect of having two head coaches until the middle of next year.
Barrett’s legal team are claiming his job description cannot be altered under his current employment contract.
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The second legal letter is an olive branch of sorts given management is doing all it can to avoid paying out Barrett’s contract.
Barrett’s legal team has put together a structured payment plan as part of a settlement agreement outlined in the letter.
It’s understood the settlement and payment plan are structured in such a way that would be a financial saving for the club.
On Monday, Des Hasler was unveiled as the man to take over from Barrett for the next three years.
Hasler, a former Sea Eagles players, coached the northern beaches side to two premierships during his tenure between 2004 and 2011.
His appointment poses an embarrassing situation for the club, especially if they cannot come to an agreement about Barrett and his immediate future.
The club faces the real prospect of having both men turning up at Narrabeen for the first day of pre-season in Novmeber ready to take charge of the side.
It’s understood Hasler does not want Barrett as part of the coaching staff if he does opt to stay with the Sea Eagles until July.
The stand-off between Barrett and his employers first came to a head earlier this year when the coach instructed his management to issue CEO Lyall Gorman with a legal notice which outlined his concerns over the lack of resources available to him.
At the time, Barrett told The Sunday Telegraph, he was forced to take action after management repeatedly failed to uphold their end of the bargain.
He claimed the Sea Eagles were not meeting the basic obligations of his employment contract, leaving him not other choice than to walk away.
Barrett’s main grievances were the club’s outdated facilities in Narrabeen, a lack of funding and an understaffed football department.
Part owner and chairman Scott Penn did not return phone calls on Thursday.
Barrett’s manager also refused to comment on the latest development.
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