Manly identify Anthony Seibold as potential Des Hasler successor

Manly are still considering the end of the Des Hasler era at the club with a former coach of the year in line for a second chance.

Anthony Seibold is set for a return to the NRL coaching ranks. Photo: Getty Images

Formerly ousted Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is set for another shot at an NRL coaching gig after he was identified as potential successor to Des Hasler at the Manly Sea Eagles.

Seibold was linked to the role by both The Daily Telegraph and the Sydney Morning Herald as Manly continue to grapple with its future after an abysmal end to the 2022 season.

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The horror end to Manly’s season which saw seven straight losses after the Pride jersey debacle has put the spotlight firmly on coach Hasler with speculation over his future after the Sea Eagles refused to give the two-time premiership winning mentor an extension.

The Telegraph reported Hasler’s future was still up in the air ahead of the final season of his contract as owner Scott Penn arrived from New York to finalise the matter.

The report also said it could see Seibold be handed the reins to the team as soon as this month.

Manly bosses reportedly want a succession plan in place with the likes of current assistant Steven Hales, Cronulla and Queensland assistant Josh Hannay and Seibold all believed to be options for the club, although the latter two are considered the frontrunners.

Halser reportedly sees Hannay as his preferred option before handing over the keys for the 2025 season, which would mean he would get the one-year extension he’s looking for.

But Seibold is considered a favourite within the club.

Seibold had a rough run at the Broncos. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England

Seibold had one season at the South Sydney Rabbitohs where he claimed the Dally M Coach of the Year award before trading positions with Wayne Bennett at the Brisbane Broncos in a messy situation.

Originally signed for five seasons by the Broncos, Seibold lasted less than two before parting ways following the worst season in the club’s history in 2020 where it claimed the wooden spoon for the first time.

Since then, Seibold has worked with Adam O’Brien at Newcastle and Eddie Jones in England’s rugby union coaching staff.

Seibold used to work for the Sea Eagles, having been an assistant under Trent Barrett.

Hasler on the other hand is hanging onto his role by a thread after the nightmarish finish to the season.

Manly were still in finals contention in round 20 when the season imploded on the back of the club’s Pride jersey debacle.

The drama saw seven players withdraw from the match and reportedly create factions in the sheds as the Sea Eagles lost their last seven games to finish the season in 11th, likely five wins out of finals contention.

Des Hasler wasn’t happy with how the season ended. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Although the club also had injuries to key players including star fullback and reigning Dally M Medallist Tom Trbojevic, the jersey drama was clearly the turning point as the club fell sharply away at the end of the season.

But since the season wound down it’s been much worse for the club with reports of unrest in the playing group, division between DCE and the Trbojevic brothers and that coach Hasler could be sacked or walk.

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans didn’t comment on the situation itself but did say he supported his coach.

“I always stay in contact with Des,” Cherry-Evans said.

“We have a great relationship as coach and captain at Manly. That is why I always endorse him — because we do have such a good relationship.

“It is not for me to get in the way of the club and his relationship. They obviously have business to sort out and I am sure they will get it done by the time we get back for pre-season.”

Originally published as Manly identify Anthony Seibold as potential Des Hasler successor