Beloved former Manly player and coach Geoff Toovey has returned to Brookvale after an eight-year hiatus, accepting a position as the club’s pathways coaching co-ordinator.
Toovey, the club’s 1996 premiership winning captain, mentored the Sea Eagles from 2012 to 2015, leading Manly to the 2013 grand final and boasting a 58 per cent win record as coach.
However, the former NSW and Australian footballer was sacked after an underwhelming 2015 campaign, where Manly placed ninth on the NRL ladder, replaced by Trent Barrett in dramatic circumstances.
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On Sunday morning, Manly confirmed that Toovey would oversee the coaching structure of the club‘s junior teams, grooming the next generation of young talent.
“It‘s great to be back involved with Manly through the Pathways program,” the 53-year-old said in a statement.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of producing some local talent and to help develop them into future first graders at Manly.”
Toovey played 286 first grade games for Manly and the Northern Eagles after making his debut in 1988, with the champion halfback winning the Clive Churchill Medal in 1996.
“Tooves has got so much to offer us. Everyone is so happy to have him back – the players and all the staff,’’ Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov said in a statement.
“The members and fans will love it too. He is so popular and so respected.
“The junior reps program is such an important part of an NRL club.
“Tooves will oversee the coaching of our best juniors to ensure they are ready for the NRL when their time comes.”
The Sea Eagles, who are currently fourth on the NRL ladder after securing four wins in eight games, will next face the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 8.05pm AEST.
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