I am the biggest fan in the world of Des Hasler, I will always cherish his contribution to Manly as a coach (2008, 2011), and as a player (1987, 1996) and the culture of Manly.
Love the guy to bits and always will.
But, as a Manly fan, concerned about the future competitiveness and culture of the Manly club, I do not want Des Hasler at Manly in 2012. I want him out, a new coach in, and plans made for Manly's immediate and long term future starting next week.
Having Des as a lame duck coach next year means Manly puts on hold their future and allows a Bulldogs insider to exist in the club to form the bonds that will ultimately result in Manly players following him out, jeopardizing the club for a decade or more. Lets say we we were competitive next year but didn't win it (a very likely possibility). Imagine if we lost Brett Stewart, Kieran Foran and T-Rex just to start with at the end of 2012. Not only has 2012 been wasted, but you lose players the could take a decade to replace. We may not see another Manly premiership for more than a decade because of the loss of players, culture, and critical personell.
The people that make me sick are these hired gun super coaches like Bennett and Smith who hop from club to club after the money and taking players with them. That's the exact crappy culture that teams like the Broncos, Knights, Penrith, and Bulldogs embrace and make us throw up at their shallowness.
By keeping Des at Manly next year, that is precisely the culture Manly will be surrogates of.
Sack DES, bring in Toovey, and let's start making adjustments. After playing a year under Tooves we move forward and the players will want to stay and Manly's future assured.
NYEagle