Manly legend Mark ‘Spudd’ Caroll has labelled Des Hasler’s Sea Eagles sacking as “unbelievable”, declaring the coach “bleeds maroon and white”.
After months of discontent, Manly finally made a decision on Hasler, calling an end to his time in charge, with Anthony Seibold reportedly the next man in line.
“It’s unbelievable, it all comes down to the pride jersey, they said it won’t derail us, of course it derailed them, they went down the back door (after it),” Carroll said on SEN 1170 Afternoons.
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“Dessy got up and spoke in front of the media, that wasn’t his position to do, why wasn’t the CEO or the boss of Manly doing that, why did Dessy have to put his neck on the line, he spoke fantastically, it was probably the best one he’s ever done.
“I can’t believe he’s actually had to fall on his sword, he bleeds maroon and white, Dessy has done everything for that club, what they have in the future, I have no idea.”
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Hasler had reportedly agreed to the conditions put to him by Manly officials in order to keep his role for the 2023 season.
But that wasn’t enough, with the club choosing to part ways with a Manly icon, who played 256 games for the Sea Eagles, before coaching the team to two premierships.
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It’s a dramatic fall from where the club sat 12 months ago.
Manly made it through to a preliminary final under Hasler’s watch last season and all he had to do was take the team to a top six finish this year to trigger a one-year contract extension.
Instead, the Sea Eagles lost their final seven games to finish 12th.
The free fall began after the infamous pride jersey saga where seven players sat out of a must-win clash with the Roosters because they refused to don the rainbow trimming.
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Hasler and Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans fronted the media in the lead-up to the game to answer the tough questions.
He admitted to a “significant mistake” on the club’s behalf, but also said: “None of the coaching staff or players had prior knowledge to the jersey.”
Leaked email correspondence has since been revealed Sea Eagles football manager John Bonasera approved the initiative two months earlier — but did not pass that information onto Hasler.
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Carroll called out the club’s mishandling of the matter but is confident Hasler will land on his feet.
“You don’t make a jersey overnight, why didn’t Dessy know about this information? Someone else made a decision and it’s cost him his job,” he said.
“Knowing Des the way he is he’ll brush (himself) off and he’ll find another gig, he’s a really good coach and his numbers speak for what he has achieved.
“The players are going to be hurting they all love him, he’s a funny little bloke, the mad scientist, but players want to run through brick walls for him, that’s Des Hasler.”
