‘Drama behind the scenes’: Manly legend Geoff Toovey threatens to walk out

Sea Eagles legend Geoff Toovey has threatened to walk away from the club after Manly announced a sacking this week.

Geoff Toovey after the Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters round 25 NRL game at Brookvale Oval. pic Mark Evans

Manly legend Geoff Toovey has threatened to walk away from his role as one of the club’s senior pathways coaches in anger at how one of his closest friends was treated by the club.

According to The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield, the 2013 premiership-winning coach is unhappy about how an unnamed close friend of his was unceremoniously sacked by the club recently.

“There’s some drama behind the scenes,” Rothfield told Sunday morning’s Big Sports Breakfast.

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“There have been a number of changes at pathways and one of his close mates was marched out of the building last week… he was basically sacked for talking to the media.

“I’ve spoken to Geoff, he was really upset about it.

“If there is a problem and he does walk away from his role there will be huge backlash.”

Rothfield’s Sunday column for The Daily Telegraph explained the situation has arisen due to Manly’s restructuring of their pathways and cost-cutting from club CEO Tony Mestrov.

Geoff Toovey after the Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters round 25 NRL game at Brookvale Oval. pic Mark Evans

The veteran journalist told the Big Sports Breakfast that while Mestrov is “on top of it” he must ensure he “settles” Toovey down when they meet this week to resolve the issue.

Speaking to Rothfield, Mestrov explained he and Toovey have a strong relationship but insisted the club legend has “to respect that I’m the boss and doing my job in the best interests of the club.”

“There’s no more politics at the club,” he added.

“He’s a good guy, and I want him to stay. I want to work with him.

“He’s a legend of the club and you know how much I respect the past. I’m not a control freak and I treat them (ex-players) with respect.

“Everything I do has to be in the best interest of the club.”

Earlier this week, the Sea Eagles announced they have ended their NSW Cup partnership with Blacktown Workers, with the club’s NSW Cup side to fly under the Sea Eagles banner from next season.

Originally published as ‘Drama behind the scenes’: Manly legend Geoff Toovey threatens to walk out