Manly have no intention of paying out Trent Barrett, who will be made to continue working for his contract money long after Des Hasler is appointed as his replacement.
Haslers return to the northern beaches on a three-year deal will be trumpeted next week, marking an unlikely return to the Sea Eagles. It was widely considered the Hasler deal would not be announced until a settlement had been reached with Barrett, who gave a 12-month notice period last July.
Fallout: Manly has no intention of paying out Trent Barrett.Credit:AAP
But in an unprecedented scenario, the Sea Eagles intend for Barrett to serve out his time in a yet-to-be-defined role, meaning he will remain at the club until the middle of next year alongside Hasler.
The extraordinary transition plan means Barrett is expected to keep working for his money long after the new coach's appointment. Manly powerbrokers are adamant they wont be paying out a cent to Barrett to get him off their books, but are prepared to grant him a release should he ask for one. Such a move would prevent them from having to pay two coaches at the same time.
Advertisement
Barrett continues to log in at work every day and prepare for the upcoming pre-season to ensure he fulfils his contractual commitments. Sea Eagles officials privately believe he handed in his notice in the expectation he would take over from Anthony Griffin at Penrith, where Barrett was previously an assistant. However, Cameron Ciraldo remains the caretaker Panthers coach until Ivan Cleary rejoins the club, a move most expect will happen in coming weeks.
Barretts legal team is closely monitoring the situation in the belief that only their client can claim to be the first-grade coach until his term is served. However, the Sea Eagles are also confident in their position, setting up an ugly stand-off between a coach who seemingly doesnt want to be there and a club not prepared to pay him out.
Barrett has publicly slammed Manly over the lack of infrastructure and support he has received during his time at the club. However, the facilities are on improvement on those Hasler had at his disposal when he took the Sea Eagles to two premierships.
Haslers return to Manly will be the first domino to fall in one of the biggest shake-ups of the coaching ranks in NRL history. Up to five clubs could experience a change of clipboard holder before the 2019 season kicks off.
Cleary is contracted to Wests Tigers for the next two years but is understood to have agreed to return to the foot of the mountains on a three-year deal beginning in 2021. That move will put pressure on the Tigers to release him immediately, although they wont do so unless they can find a suitable replacement.
Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe has taken a group of corporate sponsors on a study trip of the United States, touring a range of businesses and sporting organisations including the Chicago Bulls. Its understood Pascoe has met up with potential Cleary replacements Michael Maguire and Wayne Bennett between his US commitments.
Complicating matters is the fact that Bennett is contracted for next season and Maguire is one of four candidates in the running to replace him. The others are Queensland coach Kevin Walters, Broncos assistant Andrew Demetriou and South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold, who is also contracted until 2020. Seibold is the favourite and the Rabbitohs may be prepared to release him immediately if they can find a suitable replacement, raising the possibility of a straight swap for Bennett.
Maguires preference is the Brisbane job, but the New Zealand coach will firm for the Tigers post if he misses out. The Tigers have been inundated with expressions of interest but the joint-venture outfit will only release Cleary if they jag a big-name replacement. That leaves only Maguire and Bennett, the latter keen on a long-term deal once he leaves Red Hill.
Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.
