OFFICIAL: HASLER SACKED & SEIBOLD NEW COACH

[eagleron]

S

It will be a football team about nothing.

Already is Terry

 

[Captain Moondog]

New era now. Let's hope it's a better one.

 

[Ralphie]

Good lord you really see what people are like times likes this happen.

You do indeed, I remember what I saw back in 2011 when we were trying to celebrate a Premiership whilst one person was trying to clean the place out as he exited.

 

[bob dylan]

You do indeed, I remember what I saw back in 2011 when we were trying to celebrate a Premiership whilst one person was trying to clean the place out as he exited.

I was dirty, not so much about his departure but the fact he tried to destroy the club.

He had the first laugh by winning the minor premiership with the Dogs, but I wonder what would of been had he stayed.

I always thought we should of won the comp in 2012 and 13.

 

[mickqld]

So has anyone seen an official announcement from the club to the members ?

 

[kurrieagle]

So has anyone seen an official announcement from the club to the members

C'mon , you know Manly doesn't work like that

 

[Highflier]

Here's the text:

The problem at Manly was not coach Des Hasler - it’s owner and chairman Scott Penn.

What’s gone down at the Sea Eagles in the past few months, and particularly this week, confirms that much. It’s hardly surprising when Penn spends most of his time living in New York, devising ways to hold an NRL match in the US where he can hang with Hugh Jackman.

Why Penn ruthlessly managed Hasler - a club great and two-time premiership coach - towards the exit at Brookvale isn’t entirely clear.

When Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler door-stopped him after a board meeting on Tuesday, Penn looked like the proverbial deer in the headlights, bottom lip quivering because he was finally being asked some tough questions on the record.

Asked why Hasler was being moved on, Penn said: “We have a premiership-winning team. What we need is a football department that can get us back there as quickly as possible.”

After Penn brought Hasler back to the club in 2019 - “when no-one else wanted him” - to clean up the mess left by Trent Barrett, Hasler made the semi-finals, finished 13th, reached a preliminary final, and this year finished 11th following the season-ending injury to the game’s best player, Tom Trbojevic, and the Rainbow Jersey controversy caused by the ham-fisted actions of club management, not the coach.

Hasler was sacked on Thursday morning following a board meeting. The decision was never about football but a clash of egos.

On one hand, you had an owner concerned about “optics” - his favourite term - and mitigating financial exposure for his family’s business. On the other, a coach who’s a noted control freak that still has the 50-cent piece he found in the Brookvale Oval tunnel at a halftime when he was a player in the 1980s.

Des is Des, bless him. He can be trickier to deal with than a Burmese Python. With the magic comes the madness. But it’s not like Penn didn’t know what kind of coach he was signing.

If he couldn’t remember Hasler’s first incarnation at Brookvale, surely he observed Hasler’s messy exit from the Bulldogs and established some clear boundaries - in writing - for his second.

Former Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg and chairman Ray Dib still argue about who gave Hasler so much autonomy at Belmore. Hasler argued he had to get his hands on every facet of the Manly operation this time around out of necessity. The club runs on a skeleton staff compared to others and changes chief executives like they’re oil filters.

Many within Manly believe what truly aggrieved Penn was the way Hasler handled himself in the 23-minute media conference in response to the rainbow jersey controversy that tore the playing group in half.

A narrative has been spun that Hasler “slammed” management. I’d suggest people watch it again. You’ll find a coach doing an admirable job answering tough questions from tough non-rugby league reporters about tough non-rugby league matters when someone from the front office should have been in the hot seat.

New chief executive Tony Mestrov hadn’t started, so Hasler was forced to stand in. Where was Penn? Where was acting CEO Gary Wolman? Where was whoever was responsible for the ****-show?

Instead, Hasler took all the bullets. Throughout the media cross-examination, he constantly apologised for the mistakes “we have made”. He threw nobody under the bus and it’s duplicitous to argue otherwise.

Penn and Mestrov have identified Anthony Seibold as a potential solution. Good grief.

Seibold is a nice enough guy, has a deep knowledge of the game and has a future as a head coach. But if he couldn’t handle the politics of the Broncos, how will he handle the politics of Manly, which often feels like a never-ending season of House of Cards?

He talked a good game to get the job at Red Hill. Now Penn is swallowing it up at Manly.
Clubs usually sack players after they lose the playing group. Hasler had pretty much the whole dressing-room, including Tom and Jake Trbojevic, firmly in his corner.

He did so by blindly, for better or worse, backing them. A week ago, with his own future uncertain, Hasler sat in a witness box providing a character reference for Manase Fainu, who has been found guilty of plunging a steak knife into the back of a man at a Mormon church dance in southwestern Sydney.

It’s become a modern-day reality in rugby league that clubs can’t sack a coach unless they have a viable alternative.

Hasler had one year to run on his $900,000-a-season deal. He was asked to do a review, then come up with a succession plan, so he suggested Josh Hannay, but the club rejected it and said they wanted Seibold anyway.

If Penn and Mestrov knew the answer to the question they were asking, why ask it?

This was always going to end one way: with Hasler being sacked and then launching legal action. Hasler is said to be devastated about his messy exit because of his 30-year association with the club — but he’ll be licking his lips about a payout.

Dib’s tongue must have been firmly planted in his cheek when he told News Corp earlier this week that Manly must sack Hasler immediately.

History buffs will remember Dib re-signed Hasler in April 2018 before sacking him six months later before the Bulldogs eventually paid Hasler more than $1 million in damages.

It’s unlikely to cost Manly that much but his legal team is confident about his position.

Shuffling Hasler out the door resolves little, though. On Penn’s watch, a once-proud club has descended into chaos. The buck stops with him.

There’s been speculation for years about the Penns selling out of Manly. Asking price: $40 million. They’ve recently knocked back offers of between $20 and $25 million.

If they keep paying out coaches and pissing on club legends, they’ll be lucky if they can hock it to Cash Converters.

wow what a damning indictment of Penn and assessment of his lack of Rugby League IQ ,not to mention his ineptitude and bumbling management style.
Also the viciousness of Penn's apparent revenge on Des is exposed as well.
I know when watching that presser you could not be prouder of Des and how he deftly tip toed around the many land mines around the issue at hand ,while still making me proud to be a supporter of the club even with the cluster that was caused by the rainbow jersey. I would have thought that would have rubbed off on the players as well (although given what transpired after it didn't look like it)
Des was his own worst enemy at times, consistently picking plodders ,not using the full bench etc ,we all know that, but I always had faith in him .I remember him going to town on the referees boss after the 2019 semi rip off by one eyed ref Sutton,I was proud of him then to .
Now we have to move on and get behind Siebold and hope that Penn gets sick of being labelled a useless c*** and sells the club to URM .A few others in the media also now starting to call out Penn as not fit for purpose.
Anyway go Manly

 

[Captain Moondog]

I was dirty, not so much about his departure but the fact he tried to destroy the club.

He had the first laugh by winning the minor premiership with the Dogs, but I wonder what would of been had he stayed.

I always thought we should of won the comp in 2012 and 13.

I never forgave him for that. I suspended my dislike for him when he came back but I've always resented the way he left. Couldn't wait to leave and ruined our GF victory. It was all about him.

 

[ThaiEagle]

Like you said mate hopefully Siebold, Daley and co have a plan. At least this part is sorted..

A failed coach with a plan yeah sure, after 60 years I think greener pastures call, hope the new rainbow home jersey is a winner LOL

 

[sheridanstand78]

I would like to start off by thanking Des for his service as a player and a coach and for the memories he gave us all as both.

I would like to welcome Anthony Seibold as our new first grade coach and wish him all the success in this role. He no doubt has a massive point to prove and that might well benefit our cause.

Our club has been in sharp decline since the end of the 2011 season and we have seen more drama over the last 11 years to last a lifetime.

I am NOT against the decision to remove Des. The owner has a right to do this if he sees fit and bring in any coach he desires. He will be judged by this decision and the membership drive that is about to commence will not make good reading I predict.

Now that the decision to change the coach has been made, there are other very significant decisions still need to be made!

I outlined my concerns in an article a wrote a couple of months back about Where are we right now? and Where are we heading as a club?

The lack of professionalism is so evident and the way the coaching change has been handled speaks volumes for what NOT to do.

The club is on its knees, divided and split and factions with their own agendas!

The communication is atrocious and dysfunctional and the leaks being fed to enemies in the press really bewilder me!

With all the doom and gloom right now it is hard to see any logic. I see this as an opportunity to totally put a broom through the place!

As a club we have spent far too long gloating about past glories when the reality is the last ten years has been largely squandered! Too many juniors let go, and poor judgement in our overall recruitment has led to the some of the problems we have.

I would like to see the following things reviewed.

The relationship with Blacktown workers. In theory a good idea but results from the five years or so of doing this indicate it is a waste of time. Not many Blacktown players have made it into the first grade and the idea of our juniors going into a system with a losing culture horrifies me. Bite the bullet end this farce and bring all the players under the Manly umbrella. Heck knows we need everyone on the same song sheet.

A tough call has to be made about our salary cap and roster. We cannot afford to have 3 marquee players taking a third of our cap. Our squad is unbalanced and we have little wriggle room to fill in the weaknesses in our side. It is ridiculous that we wasted 3 seasons without a recognized hooker waiting for a positive result from a court case. Loyalty is one thing but it needs to cut both ways!

We need to invest in our pathways program. The club has enjoyed some success at the Matthews and SG Ball cup over the last few years. We need to ensure that we have mentors who can guide these kids!

There needs to be some discipline installed at the club. What we saw over the jersey fiasco was a blight on our club at all levels. The fans and members were mortified to see players missing a game because the decision makers failed in their job of communicating why they made that call?

I dont expect miracles straight away. We need a restructure now. Our rivals are doing this or have done it and they are doing much better.

We have quality in our roster, There is no way it is premiership material right now. I cannot believe Penn said it was! What is needed is a succession plan so that when DCE finishes we have a half way ready. We desperately need someone to organise the team and game manage, that is a significant weakness we have at the moment!

It needs to calm down now, so much negativity has driven us all nuts. The world cup will distract things for a while and what needs to happen is Manly to go under the radar, lick its wounds and come back stronger and focussed.

Our culture is built on hard work and never say die attitude. We have it in us. Right now we do not believe it.

The time has come for owners to sort out this mess as it threatens to harm the club in relation to attracting sponsors, new players and members.

Time for action not any more words!!

 

[WAMF]

Andrew Webster in the SMH. I suggest WAMF from East Durban (Perth) and a few others read it:

The problem at Manly wasn’t Des - it’s Scott Penn

Hasler is still the right man to coach the Sea Eagles. Are the Penns the right people to own them?

www.smh.com.au

Mate, I read it. I will wait for the evidence, not opinion pieces. There's three sides to every story. One of them that hasn't been aired around here is that Des prevented Gary Wolman from holding the presser. What would you say if that were the case?

 

[pt73]

Trbojevic considering his options after Hasler sacked as Manly coach

Des Hasler’s sacking is set to have a knock-on effect, with superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic considering his options at Brookvale.

www.smh.com.au

Des Hasler was sacked just days after Manly had allegedly reaffirmed in writing his expectation to coach the side next year, with the move prompting Tom Trbojevic to schedule a crisis meeting with his manager for Friday to discuss his future at the club.

Hasler’s fate was sealed after a Thursday morning board meeting at which Sea Eagles directors decided the situation had become untenable. The two-time premiership-winning coach learnt of his fate after reading a story about his sacking online, ending his long association with the club.

The fallout from the decision is set to continue. Despite being contracted until the end of 2026, Trbojevic will meet with his management to raise concerns about the stability of the Sea Eagles.

Trbojevic’s manager, Paul Sutton, told Nine on Wednesday that the fullback and brother Jake were “concerned about staying” at Manly following speculation about Hasler’s future. Now that Hasler has been sacked, Tom will discuss his next steps with Sutton via a video conference on Friday from the SFX headquarters in Sydney.

 

[ThaiEagle]

He is a blight on our once strong club ,we will NEVER win a comp whilst this POS owns the

I don’t! For months you have been blaming the non active new CEO for not making comment on the pride jersey stuff up! He wasn’t even the CEO. The CEO was ridiculed marketing department was ridiculed Des public ally criticises management at the presser and all along des’s department knew. You were supporting Des - Des should have been criticised rather it was management…..The management team have been wrongfully ridiculed ! We all owe the sea eagles staff and management a massive apology! Imagined been criticised for something that was not your fault!

Yes see ya Des…. And stop blaming others and making excuses for performance failure!

Nah I cant be bothered, I wouldnt trust any of them to tell the truth about anything that was done.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

"The club runs on a skeleton staff compared to others and changes chief executives like they’re oil filters."

This line is wrong, they definitely change CEOs more often then I change oil filters.
Other than that, excellent article.

 

[winnyason]

Done with current version of club, tried to call today no answer no surprise. Sent an email awful treatment of club legend, this us not coaching related this is all over the jumper.
I won't be renewing membership and listening to a 9 ball in Seibold who is a yes man won't convince me. The penn family are another strain of covid just a complete virus of a family.
While there in charge it's pathetic and it's not the Manly sea eagles.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Mate, I read it. I will wait for the evidence, not opinion pieces. There's three sides to every story. One of them that hasn't been aired around here is that Des prevented Gary Wolman from holding the presser. What would you say if that were the case?

I doubt that would ever have happened. Has Wolman ever said anything either way?

Even if that was the case, would the Sarth Efrican have bettered Hasler’s address? Unlikely.

Is that you Gary McCue?

 

[WAMF]

I doubt that would ever have happened. Has Wolman ever said anything either way?

Even if that was the case, would the Sarth Efrican have bettered Hasler’s address? Unlikely.

Is that you Gary McCue?

You can doubt or claim what you like. I will wait for the chips to fall where they may in the wash-up.
BTW: Have you seen Des getting aorund to correct the record by admitting he ought to have known about the pride jersey and that it's through no fault of those he originally threw under a bus in the presser, that he wasn't aware? Surely that's not an unreasonable expectation to place on a man condisered by many to be honorable beyond reproach.

 

[double hoops]

Penns paying a coach half a mill not to show up next year. Might cost him even more yet. He'd want to find a lot more coin yet, before the season starts for new player signings, and other support staff.

Without some decent signings. Hard to see that membership and sponsorship drive building that excitement doing well.

Show us the money.

 

[mickqld]

You can doubt or claim what you like. I will wait for the chips to fall where they may in the wash-up.
BTW: Have you seen Des getting aorund to correct the record by admitting he ought to have known about the pride jersey and that it's through no fault of those he originally threw under a bus in the presser, that he wasn't aware? Surely that's not an unreasonable expectation to place on a man condisered by many to be honorable beyond reproach.

I simply cannot believe anything that comes from anyone associated or even dis associated with this club anymore. The place has degenerated into an outright basketcase of lies, innuendo, leaks, backstabbing and selfishness. The owner is responsible for this mess and if others are guilty of lieing about various circumstances then they should go as well. This place is so toxic it makes Chernobyl look like a wellness center.

 

[Jerry1]

Seinfeld and our new assistants.
Im calling our coach Jerry from here on out ,with George and Kramer being given to whoever steps up to the plate.

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry... Oh.... That's me..