Manly have identified Anthony Seibold as the leading contender to assist coach Des Hasler, and potentially succeed him, in what is looming as one of the biggest shake-ups in the club’s history.
Hasler, who is contracted until the end of 2023, has been seeking to extend his contract by a year, although the parties have yet to land on an outcome despite protracted and, at times, public negotiations. The two-time premiership-winning coach would have automatically triggered a contract extension if his side had secured a top-six finish last season, but injuries and the fallout from the inclusivity jersey fiasco effectively ruined their play-off chances.
The Sea Eagles need a new assistant coach after Chad Randall left to join new Bulldogs mentor Cameron Ciraldo at Belmore, with several contenders discussed as replacement options.
Josh Hannay has been touted as a contender and is believed to be Hasler’s preferred choice to eventually replace him, while some at the club believe current assistant Steve Hales has what it takes to be the next head coach. However, sources with knowledge of the situation have told the Herald that club powerbrokers have Seibold at the top of their shortlist.
Seibold is familiar with the Manly system after a stint as an assistant on the northern beaches under Trent Barrett. The Sea Eagles hierarchy also values the fact he has first-grade head-coaching experience, at South Sydney and Brisbane, after completing a rounded apprenticeship.
Seibold earned Dally M coach of the year honours in 2018, although he lasted less than two of his five contracted years at Red Hill. The former Storm assistant has publicly stated he is a better coach for his tough experiences and has continued to work in football, under England national rugby union coach Eddie Jones.
Des Hasler and (inset) Anthony Seibold. Credit:Nick Moir, NRL Photos
The club declined to comment when contacted by the Herald on Wednesday night.
Manly powerbrokers want a clear succession plan for Hasler after a disappointing 11th-placed season. They haven’t ruled out extending Hasler’s contract, but want to plot a path ahead for whenever he finishes up with the clipboard.
The results of a season-ending player survey found that Hasler and captain Daly Cherry-Evans had the support required to continue in their roles, despite rumours of tension in the dressing room.
A meeting in late September between Hasler, his agent George Mimis, Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov and chairman Scott Penn in North Sydney failed to resolve the question of who would coach the club beyond next year.
The issue could come to a head at a board meeting next week.
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