Des Hasler is reportedly adamant on coaching Manly next season — but it could be too little, too late with the Trbojevic brothers said to be “unhappy” and “concerned” that the club is “imploding.”
Hasler is contracted until the end of 2023, but there have been strong claims that he has coached his last game after a fallout with senior management following the rainbow jersey saga earlier this year.
Had the Sea Eagles finished in the top six an extension clause would have been activated but instead they lost their final seven games to finish 11th.
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Owner Scott Penn told Nine News on Tuesday that there are “some bridges to mend,” but his reluctance to address whether Hasler would coach on next season was a telling sign.
However, News Corp has since revealed that Hasler plans on showing up to day one of pre-season in November and will accommodate any changes made by the club — including the possible appointment of Anthony Seibold as assistant coach.
Nine News has also backed up those claims.
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“Des Hasler has told Manly he will coach them in 2023, so he will coach them next year — that’s a big development,” Nine’s Danny Weidler said on Wednesday night.
“Also, he says he will support the team’s new direction of adding resources to the club — something the club clearly needed before and after the rainbow jersey issue.”
It comes as Paul Sutton, the manager of Tom and Jake Trbojevic told News Corp that the brothers fear their beloved club is “imploding” and the dramas have “taken a toll” on them.
“They feel that the club that they love is imploding in front of their eyes,” Sutton said.
“They are really down in the dumps with the place.
“If it continues, it is wearing and once the place becomes unsavoury, what do you do? If it becomes untenable…
“Obviously you’d assume Tommy would be a Sea Eagle for life but all the internal rumblings and conflict have taken a toll on him mentally.
“He has expressed to me his disappointment in the club’s behaviour. He has expressed he is unhappy — both Jake and Tom have.
“Jake has called me from England expressing how unhappy he is with the club. It’s the same as with Tom, this has taken a toll on him.
“All this has probably changed the narrative in terms of how they felt in the past.”
But Sutton was also sure to confirm that he or the brothers, who are signed until the end of 2026, “haven’t spoken to any other clubs.”
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Sutton also provided a statement to Nine News.
“‘They have expressed concern to me about the instability at the club’,” Sutton said per Weidler.
“‘It has got them worried. They have not spoken to me about leaving the club but they are concerned about staying there’.”
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The Trbojevic brothers have remained supportive of Hasler, who has been in and out of meetings with senior Manly management since the start of September — and will meet with the board again on Thursday, according to News Corp.
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It was assumed that Hasler would walk away given the fallout and the understanding he wouldn’t be re-signed beyond 2023, but it appears now if the club wants to get rid of him immediately their only option is to sack him.
“Des is ready for 2023 and is happy to work proactively with anyone,” a source close to Hasler told News Corp.
“It’s certainly Des’ intention to continue. He knows Manly won’t make it easy for him but he wants to coach and he has a contract. He intends to be there.
“His employment may appear untenable but he won’t walk away. He is ready, willing and able to work with the board so they can achieve their goals.
“Is Des happy to work to support the board with its desires? Of course he is. He is happy to support any organisation and their desires. He did so at Canterbury for many years, quite constructively. Des doesn’t have an issue with ‘Seibs’.
“Des could enjoy next season and build something special. There is a strong likelihood Des could drive Manly well into the top eight. He could hand back some responsibility and focus only on his coaching. He is their most capped coach.”
