Manly’s highly-regarded new chief executive says he’ll adopt a softly, softly approach towards transforming the NRL club into a “truly world-class” sporting organisation.
Manly chairman Scott Penn on Tuesday announced the recruitment of South Sydney’s second in command Joe Kelly, with the one-time head of finance at English Premier League heavyweights Chelsea set to take up his post on November 24.
“We’ll try to get him a little bit earlier if we can. He comes very well credentialled,” Penn said.
“Joe is clearly one of the most talented executives in the game and has been instrumental in the turnaround at the Rabbitohs.”
Kelly’s appointment came a day after Manly – now 90 per cent owned by the Penn family – sacked general manager David Perry as part of an ownership restructure.
Penn is hoping Kelly’s impending arrival will mark a turning point for the Sea Eagles after a 2014 season dogged by off-field in-fighting, culminating in the old board’s controversial decision not to offer club stalwart Glenn Stewart a new contract.
The loss of Stewart to the Rabbitohs in 2015 also led to division in the playing ranks, with disgruntled fellow State of Origin and Test star Anthony Watmough on Tuesday finally granted a release from the final year of his contract.
“Obviously the board room is something that has been well-documented and it’s fair to say that we’re not proud of that,” Penn said.
“We wish it had have played out better and what I really want to say today is that things are going to change from this point forward and that the Sea Eagles’ future is very bright.
“We have a clear pathway now.”
Kelly said he’d admired Manly’s on-field efforts to reach the NRL finals for the 10th straight year in 2014 despite the off-field turbulence and that he was looking forward to working with the club’s new owners and coach Geoff Toovey.
He said he wouldn’t be rushing into any sweeping changes, focusing on raising membership levels and revenue streams and building on “the very, very good foundations” at the Sea Eagles.
“It’s a look-and-see approach,” Kelly said.
“We’ve got to look at what the low-hanging fruit is to improve the business, to develop resources to improve the football department as well.
“We’ve discussed with staff this morning that everyone has a chance going forward.
“I’ll be a firm but fair leader.”
Kelly will be integral to Manly upgrading its outdated home ground at Brookvale, with Penn saying the club had long been in dialogue with the state and federal governments about gaining their financial support to transform the venue into a full-blown multi-purpose community precinct.
“That’s something that is still going to take time,” Penn said.
“But we’re now working on the next evolution of that plan and that consolidated ownership can give us the chance to do that.”
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