Manly are expected to confirm the return of NRL premiership-winning coach Des Hasler early on Monday afternoon.
Des Hasler’s Manly return is set to be complete after the Sea Eagles called a press conference for Monday afternoon at their Narrabeen headquarters.
Seven years after a bitter split with the club following their 2011 premiership, club legend Hasler is expected to be announced as the Sea Eagles’ coach on a three-year deal at the 1pm media call.
The two-time premiership-winning coach will begin work immediately on trying to turn around Manly, who return to training next month after finishing second last in 2018.
The club is expected to face questions about Trent Barrett, whose departure is yet to be confirmed despite the coach handing in his 12 months notice in July citing a lack of resources.
There had been some suggestion Barrett could be asked to stay on at the club in an assistant or under-20s role to avoid a payout, although it’s unknown whether Hasler would support the move.
A star player in Manly’s 1987 and 1996 premierships, Hasler rebuilt the Sea Eagles out of the Northern Eagles debacle and turned them into a premiership force.
Manly made seven consecutive finals series under Hasler and reached three deciders, winning in 2008 and 2011.
However, his decision to sign with Canterbury after issues with the club’s board at the end of 2011 led to him being sacked, prompting the mentor to threaten legal action.
He took Canterbury to two grand finals in 2012 and 2014 but was axed late last year just months after a contract extension was announced, prompting an out-of-court settlement with the Bulldogs in May.
His salary cap management was heavily questioned at the time of his departure from the Bulldogs but the Sea Eagles are desperate to turn their club around both on the field and in the eyes of their fans.
Hasler has already been endorsed by captain Daly Cherry-Evans last week, while star fullback Tom Trbojevic said he was excited by the prospect of his arrival.
“If he was to come he’s obviosuly a two-time premiership winner and taken a club to a grand final,” Trbojevic said after Saturday night’s win for the Kangaroos over Tonga.
“With the stuff with Baz (Trent Barrett), I hope it all gets sorted out and we can move on.
“We start training in a couple of weeks, you wanted it all sorted by then so we can move forward and have a more successful year because we weren’t good enough this year.”
Manly Sea Eagles (2004-2011)
Matches: 206
Win rate: 59.2 per cent
Finals series: 7
Grand finals 3 (2007, 2008, 2011)
Premierships: 2 (2008, 2011)
Canterbury Bulldogs (2012-2017)
Matches: 155
Win rate: 56.8 per cent
Finals series: 5
Grand finals: 2 (2012, 2014)
Premierships: 0
Overall
Matches: 361
Win rate: 58.2 per cent
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hi Big J I don’t think Hasler stuffed the Bulldogs beyond repair. 2018 was a very tough season but we still finished 12th and ahead of two of your teams...
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Yeah Barry I’m sure we are all waiting to see how Hasler is going to #uck up Manly beyond repair, like he did the bulldogs, can’t wait
Rob
Guest
Is Des bring back Dank with his magical calf's blood also?
Michael Clare
Guest
Long-time fan and was gutted when he left us, but I have never doubted his ability as a coach. He wanted to extend his tenure with Manly at the time, but felt his achievements deserved better than the contract he was offered, so Bulldogs jumped in. It's a business and loyalty runs second, as evidenced by the "flexible" player contracts which are all too common these days. I welcome him back with open arms. The bloke is Manly through and through … it's the return of the Prodigal Son as far as I'm concerned.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'm a genuine Manly fan but part of a small minority who likes to give the coach at Brookie a fair go. Barrett had a couple of very challenging years out of the three that he was coach and the results might have been very similar if Toovey was still coaching. Rooster Robinson had a rough year a while back and the Roosters either won the spoon or were close but he only had one of those years. Barrett had two. In saying that the old joint has become a bit gloomy and Hasler part two has lifted the spirits. He's come back at a potentially great time. He'll have a clean slate injury wise and he'll have a squad that's gained a lot of experience over the last couple of years. There's a decent chance for a club like Manly to sneak up and challenge as the herd of serial pests like Smith, Slater and Cronk sail over the horizon. If things go a bit wobbly next year the mob will be primed with their pitch folks to give Des a bit of a serving.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Haha...all settle now...he’s all yours
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think he’ll do well. Any club with a core playing group of Turbo, Jurbo, DCE and Taupau and a support cast including Walker, Thompson, AFB, Koroisau, Taufua, Winterstein, Uate, Kelly, Sironen should be doing a hell of a lot better than 15th.
Chris
Guest
I never begrudged him for how he left the club and Ive always had great memories. Im over the moon he's back. Take out the Salary Cap issues and his record is fantastic. Cant wait for the future.
Renegade
Roar Guru
This is unbelievable... I’m keen to hear what genuine manly fans think about this.... they’ve bagged Des for the basket case he left them and the dogs in - are they now happy he is back?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hahaha!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
If nothing else a few long faces around the old place have disappeared. Miserable fans have jumped out from behind rocks and underneath lumps of corrugated tin to a bright new horizon.
Muzz
Guest
lol...
terrance
Guest
Hey TB, Even better when the Dogs are paying the majority of his salary...
Dutski
Roar Guru
wow. I’d have thought there’s had to be a stack of hatchet burying, bridge repairing, humble pie eating etc etc on both sides. Good to see people able to admit when they were wrong. Alternatively what won’t people do for the sake of success? I’m picking Des to be an instant success with a rapid climb up the ladder. If they don’t, it’ll be a fringe first graders fault. Just like this year!
Dutski
Roar Guru
Hahaha! Nice claim, TB!
BA Sports
Roar Guru
BTW; The headline "Manly set to reveal Des Hasler as new coach" with the still shot below of JT with his head in his hands is so appropriate... It's what Manly fans should (but probably aren't) doing as they hear the news....
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Of course DCE and Turbo are excited. If their contracts expire in the same year, the two of them plus Jake could find themselves on $3mil each in the last year taking up 99% of the salary cap...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Always good to see ex Bulldogs making good at other clubs...
steveng
Roar Rookie
Good news, it will be great to hear and see Des back again, especially in his post match interviews lol the bloke is a legend and the NRL was worst off without him. He should get Manly back on track as they were a rabble this year