Anthony Seibold might not be on deck for the start of Manly’s pre-season campaign next month due to a potential club versus country conflict with England’s Rugby Football Union.
A spokesperson for the RFU told the UK Telegraph that Seibold was expected to stay with the team for the upcoming Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
If that remains the case, he would need to designate the first month of Manly’s pre-season campaign to an assistant coach.
Seibold is yet to be officially announced as head coach by the Sea Eagles, let alone who will be his assistants when he takes over from Des Hasler, who was sacked by the club on Thursday after a lengthy negotiating period over whether he would remain at the helm next year.
The former South Sydney and Brisbane coach was contracted to be Eddie Jones’ defensive coach up until next year’s Rugby World Cup.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
He is understood to be heading to the UK this weekend to rubber-stamp a release from his contract but the RFU could play hardball to delay his start at the Sea Eagles until the end of next month.
England have four Tests scheduled at Twickenham, starting with Argentina on November 6, culminating with a clash with the Springboks on November 26.
It’s an unwanted distraction for Seibold as he faces the all-too-familiar challenge of trying to unite a fractured NRL club.
The fallout of the Sea Eagles’ Pride Jersey saga ultimately proved too much on Thursday, with Hasler axed following an ugly seven straight losses to end their season and rumours of a schism in the playing group.
The sacking came despite Hasler reportedly telling the club he would agree to have an understudy – likely Seibold – as he saw out the final year of his contract next season before handing over the reins.
Now there won’t be any transition, with Seibold expected to be announced as head coach imminently.
Not that the scenario is all that new for Seibold.
Eddie Jones. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
After claiming the Dally M coach of the year award as a rookie head coach with South Sydney in 2018, Seibold took over at Brisbane in similar circumstances ahead of the 2019 season.
Like Hasler, Seibold’s predecessor at the Broncos, Wayne Bennett, had a year left to run on his contract at a club where he was a beloved figure among current and former players as well as fans.
Seibold’s appointment to the Broncos came in the face of disapproval from the club’s old boys, who wanted Kevin Walters put in charge.
The ill will lingered in the background as Seibold lasted less than two seasons of a lengthy deal, scraping into the finals in 2019 before being axed following poor on-field results in 2020.
At Manly, he will likely also need to find on-field success fast.
Owner Scott Penn claimed this week that the club had a premiership-ready roster, indicating he believed the current football department did not match.
Manly also have some recent history of acting quick on their coaches.
In the past decade, just three NRL head coaches have been axed within 12 months of their team making the top four.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Two of those have been at Manly: Geoff Toovey in 2014 and now Hasler at the end of 2022.
Ivan Cleary is the other, shown the door by Phil Gould at Penrith in 2015 after reaching the top four the previous year before returning four years later to win back-to-back premierships.
In making a decision on Thursday, Manly have at least avoided a repeat of the messy stand-off that headlined Trent Barrett’s exit from the Sea Eagles at the end of 2018.
At the time, Manly and Barrett had to reach a deal to agree for him to continue being paid in his 12-month notice period as long as he stayed away from training.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Somebody had to make sure they were gone
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
They did, but you didn't have to tamper with their corpse for three years.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Souths did pretty well under him
What the !
Guest
He did just sign a contract at the Bulldogs. He was only sacked from the Manly team photos.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
This is not about Des's coaching ability . The fact that Des excluded him from the locker room has probably set him off and the fact that Des had to front the media for the failings of the board. Even his dismissal, getting the newly appointed CEO to deliver the bad news even after stating he was the one that got on the phone to bring Des back . Bloke needs to grow a pair .
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Can the NRL terminate Penns ownership of manly. Hating manly is an Australian last time, I just can't see how feeling sorry for them is going to work.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Manly pre season? Isn't that 10 schooners at the Ivanhoe Pub then sprint training up the corso?
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Not sure wether Scott Penn built the family empire but he runs it now . A lot of people don't realise he was educated at Knox Grammar school and I'm sure doesn't live here permanently. It's a shame all the hard work people like Arthurson an others building this club but now have no control of it .
Muzz
Guest
Bring back the Bears. Des will offer his coaching services at a discounted price.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Manly and Seibold deserve each other. Eddie would have picked him up as defence coach on advise from Bellamy I suspect. Looking for an edge with something different. Warren Ryan has forgotten more than most know . He would still be worth listening to .
Redcap
Roar Guru
Was he sacked in 2011? I thought he just jumped ship to the Dogs.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Jeibold?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
You’re dead right. Penn has literally no idea what he’s brought on his business. If I were a shareholder in his family’s business, i would seriously question the judgment that has led him to such a ridiculous conclusion.
Cam
Roar Rookie
To think Anthony Seibold can fix what is going on at Manly is pie in the sky stuff. He was chewed up and spat out at the Broncos, which looks to be a far easier proposition than what he faces at Manly.
Cam
Roar Rookie
New coach will bring all his own people to the gig.
Jb
Guest
Pretty snake comment yourself mate what an average thing to say when you don't even know the bloke
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Even as we speak there's hundreds of Manly fans busily hammering away at the keyboards sending email's to the English Rugby Union board saying you keep him we don't want him . I really don't think Penn understands the repercussions that this decision will have . To be honest I think he's going to have a huge revolt on his hand's.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
So the bloke no one wants isn’t going to be here to take the job he doesn’t deserve? Great start Penn you mug
Redcap
Roar Guru
Well, yeah. But it's also an indirect way of slagging-off Manly, so it's fun.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The perennial Bears being shafted myth… never gets old nor true no matter how often repeated. They went stone motherless broke all on their own