Outgoing Manly coach Trent Barrett remains in NRL purgatory, yet to have his future finalised but with Des Hasler having already filled his role at the Sea Eagles.
Barrett’s fate remained the biggest mystery of Hasler’s appointment on Monday, as Manly officials requested for no questions to be asked about Barrett before the press conference.
Barrett officially remains an employee of the Sea Eagles until next July, after he handed in his required 12 months’ notice midway through the season citing his intention to resign.
The relationship between the rookie coach and Manly’s management has since become untenable, with both sides throwing barbs over Barrett’s claims of a lack of resources at the club.
“I think we’ve been clear for the last few months that Trent is employed by the club. He has a contract on foot, he resigned, that was his decision,” Manly chairman Scott Penn said.
“And then as a club we need to protect our interests and that’s exactly what we’ve done.
“We need a coach for 2019 and we’re working through that process.”
Asked if they expected Barrett to continue fronting to work to see out his resignation period, Penn opted not to answer.
Manly are mindful of the fact that if they are to sack Barrett earlier than next July without proving he has broken his contract, they could be forced to pay out part of his contract.
One option to keep him employed at the club over that period has been the suggestion he could stay on as an assistant to Hasler or an under-20s coach, both of which seem unlikely.
Hasler claimed on Monday that was yet to be discussed, but spoke in more glowing terms about both assistants John Cartwright and Chad Randall – the latter of whom he coached during his previous tenure at the Sea Eagles.
“They’re both good fellas,” Hasler said.
“I’ve coached Chad, I’ve worked with Chad and I played with John and against John, so both are good human beings.”
Hasler also said he’d begin mapping out a plan for his staffing now he’d officially signed, with trainer Don Singe, former hooker Matt Ballin and recruitment manager Noel Cleal all linked to returns.
The Sea Eagles are currently operating without a recruitment manager, while it’s understood performance manager Dan Ferris has left the club – potentially opening the door for Singe’s return.
Haz
Roar Rookie
No-one's asking my opinion, but seeing as how they're dead-set on making Barrett see out his contract, I'd make him the halves coach. If nothing else, Barrett has done magnificent things for Daly Cherry-Evans' game in the last 2 years. If he can take Lachlan Croker's game and turn him into a decent NRL starter, that would a go a long way to getting a decent team on the paddock next year.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
He should go and get experience in the Super League, best thing for a young coach to do away from the NRL spotlight. Worked for Nathan Brown and Steve Price is a much better coach these days
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Brookvale will sell out when people come to see it demolished. Seriously why does a billion dollar sport put up with such a ground?
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Only 9? 1996 and 2008 a little bit more I think. They pop up every now and then for a premiership but will struggle more and more with their outdated facilities, especially with their current roster.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
And in all the coaching merry-go-round rubbish that we were subject to by the media - and are still subject to - Hasler's name was never mentioned as an option at Penrith or Wests or Souths or Brisbane..
Renegade
Roar Guru
To be fair a I don’t think other coaches apart from tainted ones such as Hasler would want the manly gig either
Renegade
Roar Guru
There is no way they will get off the bottom of crowd averages.... the Toronto Wolfpack were pulling bigger crowds. Terrible ground and manly just don’t have many fans.... there’s a lot who aren’t happy with Des coming back either - they would’ve preferred Tooves.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Be prepared to be surprised in 19, half the 'fans' had already written off Manly after 3 rounds in 17 and were offering the coach advice about sending Api K and Green back to reserves to avoid the wooden spoon. Cameron Cullen was to lead us away from danger apparently. By the time they swallowed their pride the season was almost gone. The optimism is very high and the fans will be back but you'll just have to wait.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
'The most pathetic club in the history of the game' have won eight titles since 1970 and the Roosters have won five in that time. The Roosters had a 27 year gap between titles and Manly's longest gap is 9 years. The Roosters have won titles because they have been able to attract players like Fittler, SBW, Cronk and Tedesco and put them to good use but if it's all about facilities then Manly will be last every other year according to your logic.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I don't see other clubs will line up for him after this.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
You're right, Barrett took a calculated gamble and it backfired. And you are right, he only has himself to blame for thinking Manly administration and ownership would handle a coach resignation in a professional manner. He should have known better. But then, he only has himself to blame for taking the Manly job in the first place. He should have known, not being an ex-Manly boy, he would have no support from the Club hierarchy and the Board.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Can’t see how too many clubs would be interested in him from hereon.
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
Yep. Can't help thinking Barrett shat in his own nest.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
We didn't come last this year isn't the greatest achievement a club can boast. They are on life support
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
You just backed up my point. A premiership here or there but no sustained success, outside the early 70's and 2008-2013 where they won a couple more. Look at other clubs with better facilities like the Roosters and Storm and they've been contenders for most of the past 20 years or so.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Definition of boutique;"a business or establishment that is small and sophisticated or fashionable." Brookvale is a lot of things. It is certainly not boutique.... Maybe Manly aim to get more than 10,000 to a few home games (which they only did twice in 2017) before they aim for a few sellouts..
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
In a fairly ordinary year at Manly the Turbo brothers play 3 SOO games and despite being held back by archaic training facilities are among the top players on either side. DCE plays game three and is probably the best player on the field. Marty T and AFB are in the top five for post contact metres. Beating the Storm in a GF 40 nil with dodgy training facilities must be some sort of miracle if it's such a big deal. Manly were the most pathetic club in the comp last year but if you think that is some sort of terminal condition then you might be a bit disappointed. Look for a few sellout crowds at boutique Brookie in 19 as well.
john
Guest
Trent only has himself to blame for this. He knew handing in his resignation like that would force either a payout or a prolonged uncomfortable employment. He just didn't factor in the Manly administration would call his bluff. Either way, I think Trent getting a payout for his services would have been a crying shame, he has led Manly to one of their worst periods of footy. If he was paid on based on team performance he would be owing the club money.
Concussed
Guest
No ground, no facilities, no members and no wooden spoons.
Michael Clare
Guest
Those "pockets of success" you blithely mention include premierships in every decade since the 70s.