Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn has reportedly confirmed the worst-kept secret in rugby league: coach Trent Barrett will be leaving Manly at season’s end.
All that’s left now is negotiating a payout, with Barrett said to have handed in his 12 months’ notice in July, meaning he is still technically required to work for the club in some capacity until July 2019, which is clearly an untenable situation.
While Manly have a strong history of backing rookie coaches, it appears that long-standing philosophy is set to be shelved.
“We are not in a position to back a rookie coach. We tried it, it had strong potential but it seemingly hasn’t worked,” Penn said.
The Sea Eagles’ last four coaches – Barrett, Geoff Toovey, Des Hasler and Peter Sharp – were all rookies in their first year at the club, although Hasler had established something of a dynasty by the time he left the club in 2012, while Toovey had been Hasler’s assistant for years when he took over.
The club’s last non-rookie was Graham Lowe, from 1990-92, who later went on to serve as the club’s CEO.
As for who will take over the reins on the Northern Beaches, AAP are reporting that the club are considering a list of coaches including Tim Sheens, Michael Maguire, John Cartwright and Neil Henry.
Jay Wright
Roar Rookie
Barrett was doomed to fail from day one. Hasler would most likely be the best replacement
souvalis
Roar Rookie
3 wins away from a Grand Final iast year (in Bennett loyalistspeak),money upgrade,contract extension.. talk of wanting to be at the joint for 10 years..then asks for his contract conditions to be honoured and..pow..a rookie loser..
Paul
Roar Guru
Back End Des? It can be argued Des has a lot to answer for with some of the deals he did prior to leaving Manly. Lots of guys got lots of money late in their contracts for doing..... very little.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Just don’t give him the keys to the chequebook...
Tom G
Guest
Gould recommended Barrett to Manly too don’t forget
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Henry has a losing record at 3 different clubs, and each club has improved after his departure. Should never be considered for an NRL job again
Tom G
Guest
It could be argued he has been paid for nothing this last three years
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Penn is a dope - It isn't about being a Rookie coach. Hasler and Toovey had success because FUlton liked them and let them do what they wanted - because they were "Manly boys". Sharp may or may not have been a good head coach but he was never allowed to do his job. You would cut to a shot of the tiny coaches box at Brookvale and it would have Sharp, his assistant then Fulton, Peters and at least two other hanger-oner's would be staring over his shoulder. He was set up to fail. Barrett has shown he wants to do things different to the way Fulton would like them done and he lost all support. The only option is (ironically) to put a guy called "Bozo" in charge and let him do what he wants until they get owenrs and a Board who are willign not to be bullied by Fulton.
David
Guest
Why are Boards never held accountable for making dud decisions? They have made a dud putting Barrett in there in the first place and now apparently they are willing to allow themselves to be compromised by the departing coach. Just because he gives 12 months notice does not mean they have to accept it ,he is just playing them and highlighting what a flawed decision they made. Pretty simple they tell him he has tendered his resignation it is accepted as of season end.He is breaking the deal not them let him argue the call if he wants. I wonder how long before Bennett is mentioned ? I would go for Griffin before any of the previous Coaches. Gould it appears has ruined any chance the Panthers had which was more while Griffin was at the helm.
Paul
Roar Guru
Sheens is coaching in the UK. Saw him on TV the other day - he looks old.
Forty Twenty
Guest
Somehow being a rookie coach , particularly if he is from out of town apparently equates to a fair chance of failure according to many. The reality is somewhat different however and plenty of rookie coaches have won titles. It's the experienced ones with a title under their belt who take their experience to another club who seem to struggle more than the advantage they appear to bring suggests. It's probably a good thing that Barrett is leaving if he is frustrated.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Seriously,what are the Trbojevics going to learn from Sheens,Maguire,Henry or Cartwright all cold bloodedly punted from their last NRL clubs ? Kind of like mending the huge problem at 6 with a critically inept defensive three quarter line with Kane Elgey..and if Cherry makes good on his threat to tell all..they're going to have a contracted player,their mother of marquees, in an untenable position..fun times..
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
To the surprise of nobody, I have an opinion on this. John Cartwright for a start needs a red line through his name; being the Assistant Coach through the Triennial of Tears. Manly is on the bottom the barrel at present and needs a Manly guy. Pride on both sides needs to be swallowed , and I'd be having a chat with Des. He's had a sabbatical to clear his head, and he'd put the fundamentals back into the side. In particular he'd make them fit. And he'd make them defend. Yeah he was hopeless at the Dogs, but he's a Manly guy. They never should have signed him. Tooves is the coach over at Bradford, working for the owner Graham Lowe - a former Manly guy. Des was fantastic with the schools on the Beaches and is beloved of the community. Don't underestimate the value of that in crowd support out here, and even in a professional age, the value of being a son of the Beaches' community. There really is something extra to play for; I've witnessed it over many years. Dig Deep Draft Des.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
Quite tricky of Barrett actually. He knows Manly are not going to bring in a new coach mid season, so he's given a 12 month notice that expires next July. So though he is choosing to leave he's playing it on his terms by nominating the date he leaves. Manly are therefore bound to pay up his contract until that time. He wont be paid for the full contract but he will be paid for half a year doing nothing. But I guess for both parties that's the best outcome to appease both parties. All the complaints about conditions, management problems etc are just window dressing. Barrett failed as a first grade coach and both parties want him gone with the least damage to both.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Out of the options listed, throw everything at Michael Maguire. I didn't realise Sheens will still around. Hasler would be good too.
Concussed
Guest
Why would manly have to love ok at a payout if Barrett is the one asking for a release.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
Its a toss up between Maguire and Henry, though most Manly supporters would love Toovey to be given another go, and Hasler remains a favourite at the Sea Eagles despite deserting the ship after its last premiership win.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm sure Barrett will do his very best till the end of the season. It's not a good look on a resume to see "last coaching job: coached Manly to their first wooden spoon."