Tom Trbojevic takes action after Manly's sacking of Des Hasler
Tom Trbojevic has reportedly called an emergency meeting with his manager to discuss his future with Manly in the wake of Des Hasler's sacking.
Manly confirmed on Thursday night that Hasler had been sacked with one year remaining on his contract, after weeks of speculation that he'd coached his last game at the club.
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Anthony Seibold is expected to be announced as his replacement imminently, with the players due to return for pre-season training next month.
"After careful consideration, the board of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles has today unanimously decided that, in the best interests of the club, Des Hasler will not be head coach of the club for NRL season 2023,'' owner Scott Penn said.
"The board and the club would like to acknowledge Des and his long history with the club as a player and as a coach.
"We are grateful and appreciative to Des for his dedication to the club, the team, all of its supporters and the sponsors over a long period of time.
"Des will always remain an icon of the club and an integral part of the club's history."
In an ugly twist for Manly, Hasler's exit threatens to have a negative ripple effect on the playing group.
Several star players hold close relationships with the former coach, including captain Daly Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers Tom and Jake.
Tom Trbojevic has already scheduled a meeting with his management for Friday afternoon, after concerns were expressed over the club's plight in recent days.
“Tom will sit down over Zoom with his management company to discuss his future and what that holds,” reporter Michael Chammas told Nine News on Thursday night.
“Tomorrow is a big day for the club.”
Veteran reporter Danny Weidler added: “It would not be a surprise if he asked for a release from his rich deal.”
The news comes after Tom and Jake's manager on Wednesday said they were "concerned" about staying at Manly due to the instability.
"They have expressed concern to me about the instability at the club. It has got them worried," Paul Sutton told Nine News.
"They have not spoken to me about leaving the club but they are concerned about staying there."
News also emerged on Wednesday that the Trbojevic brothers had requested a clause be inserted into their contracts tying them to Hasler when they re-signed with the club until 2026.
It is believed the brothers wanted to be able to walk away from their six-year contracts if Hasler was ever to depart, however the request was knocked back.
“Nobody does that anymore, that used to be very fashionable, the clubs have cottoned on to that, legally they (the Trbojevic’s) won’t have an opportunity to extricate themselves from said contract," reporter Adrian Proszenko told SEN radio.
“They’re probably two of your most valuable assets playing wise so you’ll want to keep them happy, so the question will be if Anthony Seibold can do that.”
Trbojevic brothers concerned about situation at Manly
The Trbojevic brothers, who share the same management company as Hasler, are reportedly “disappointed in the club’s behaviour" towards Hasler.
“They feel that the club that they love is imploding in front of their eyes,” Sutton said on Thursday.
“They are really down in the dumps with the place. If it continues, it is wearing and once the place becomes unsavoury, what do you do? If it becomes untenable.
“Obviously you’d assume Tommy would be a Sea Eagle for life but all the internal rumblings and conflict have taken a toll on him mentally.
“He has expressed to me his disappointment in the club’s behaviour. He has expressed he is unhappy – both Jake and Tom have.
“Jake has called me from England expressing how unhappy he is with the club. It’s the same as with Tom, this has taken a toll on him."
The Sea Eagles can ill-afford to lose the brothers, one a Dally M Medal-winning fullback and the other a 15-time NSW State of Origin representative forward.
with AAP
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