Shane Flanagan’s journey back to becoming an NRL head coach could get a big boost with Manly reportedly interested in him joining the club as an assistant.
It comes as rugby league great Laurie Daley and veteran journalist Phil Rothfield declare “it’s time” Flanagan get a chance to redeem himself after a chequered past.
Flanagan was deregistered indefinitely in 2018 after it was discovered he breached conditions of his suspension in 2014 — which he received for involvement in the Sharks’ peptides scandal.
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He is now free to return to a head coaching position and has made no secret of his desire to do so.
Flanagan was linked to the Bulldogs, Tigers and Warriors after their coaches were sacked last season but missed out on all three gigs.
However, according to Rothfield, incoming Manly coach Anthony Seibold has shown interest in the controversial coach to join his staff.
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Seibold is expected to be confirmed as Des Hasler’s replacement after his duties with England’s rugby union team and Rothfield told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast that he’s on the hunt for a “very senior assistant coach.”
Rothfield went on to reveal that Seibold has made contact with Flanagan and the two will speak while in the UK.
“I know Anthony Seibold has rung Shane Flanagan, who is with PNG over in England (for the World Cup) and Flanagan is quite interested in at least listening. They’ll meet while they’re over there in England,” he said.
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Daley, who has also been linked to a role with the Sea Eagles, interjected with: “I can’t believe he keeps missing out.”
Rothfield agreed, saying: “I can’t work it out either, I really can’t.”
But believes it likely has something to do with the dramas at the Sharks.
“I think he’s being judged on the really disappointing things — let’s be upfront here, the peptides at Cronulla,” Rothfield said.
Daley interjected again: “But that was ages ago.”
“But it was very, very serious,” Rothfield responded.
“Then he was sprung while he was off suspended, there was a salary cap scandal and he had no role in that salary cap scandal but he was sprung sending emails while he was supposed to be suspended.
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“I totally agree with you, it is time to judge Shane Flanagan on his coaching ability and not what mistakes he made — which I’m sure he’s learnt from.
“He’s a far more relaxed dude these days when you speak to him, he’s actually enjoying life, but he’s very keen for a head coaching role.”
Take away the controversies, Flanagan has an impressive resume, having guided the Sharks to their maiden premiership in 2016.
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He has spent time with the Dragons as an assistant coach for the 2020 season and then as a list management consultant this year. But he sees the Manly gig as his best opportunity yet to prove himself, according to Rothfield.
“He thinks that if he can help Anthony Seibold rebuild Manly and sort out the very big issues they face over the next year or so, that it will be a pathway back to head coaching,” he said,
“And if you look around the NRL, there are some very unstable head coaching positions, starting at the Gold Coast (Justin Holbrook), Anthony Griffin at St George Illawarra and Adam O’Brien in Newcastle.
“If Flanagan did go across with Anthony Seibold to Brookvale, I’m sure there would be a clause in his contract that if a position became available that he would not be held back at Manly.”
