A tight-lipped Trent Barrett has refused to elaborate on his coaching future at Manly, but hinted a resolution could come as soon as Thursday afternoon after insisting he wants to be an NRL head coach for a long time.
The apologetic Sea Eagles coach cited legal implications as the reason for not divulging what he's doing beyond this year amid speculation he is set to walk out on Manly with two years left on his deal.
No comment: Manly coach Trent Barrett speaking to media on Thursday.
Photo: AAP
He fronted the media for the first time this week at Lottoland on Thursday morning and said he expects to be Manly coach in 2019 "as he stands here today".
But that could change dramatically in the next 24 hours after suggestions Barrett has grown tired with Manly failing to meet commitments in regards to support staff at the club.
"I can't go into it," Barrett said of his coaching tenure at Manly. "I hope you can appreciate that. I would like to. When the dust settles and we sort things out at our end and the club's end I'll be able to talk.
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"Out of respect for the club I don't want to say too much today and I have been told by the club the legalities around it all, I won't be commenting on that today."
It was just another twist in a bizarre week where the coaching carousel threatens to go into overdrive, Manly's game with the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night an afterthought to the drama surrounding their coach.
Penrith have ruled out making a play for their former assistant coach Barrett to fill their vacant head coaching role from next year after Anthony Griffin's sacking.
But Barrett stressed he still sees himself having a long-term future as an NRL clipboard carrier despite the recent ructions.
"As I sit here today, I'm still contracted [at Manly]," he said. "First and foremost I want to sort out what's going on here. I haven't enjoyed the last few days. The sooner we all get some clarity on it [the better].
"I think it's a difficult job. It's a difficult job at any club I suppose. We all know what we're getting into when we become first grade coaches. And I've loved every minute of coaching when we are doing what we're paid to do – and that's to coach. I enjoy this job and I want to do it for a long time."
