Anthony Seibold is reportedly set to be rewarded for reaching the second week of finals, with Sea Eagles powerbrokers decided he is the man to lead the Brookvale-based club forward.
Manly face the Roosters in a sudden-death finals clash on Saturday night, but regardless of the result, Seibold is set to be tabled a fresh contract.
The move comes after news mid-season the former Broncos boss would be under pressure to remain past his current deal should the Sea Eagles miss out on the top eight in 2024.
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Finals impact on Seibold’s future | 02:17
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“Bit of breaking news around Anthony Seibold’s future… Manly have agreed internally to extend Anthony Seibold’s contract,” The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis said on NRL360.
“Whether that will be for 12 or 24 months, that will be the discussion that happens at the end of the season. They haven’t taken it to Anthony yet because they want him to focus.
“But the management at the Sea Eagles have agreed that they think Anthony Seibold is the man to lead them.”
Seibold finished 12th in his first season in charge of the Sea Eagles, taking over after a turbulent end to Des Hasler’s spell.
Seibold’s management kicked off negotiations for an extension earlier this year, however Manly powerbrokers were quick to put contract talks on hold until the season’s end.
That decision was made in May, and at the time the Sea Eagles were sitting in 12th place on the ladder, with their finals hopes hanging in the balance.
Rugby league legend Braith Anasta questioned if the decision made by Sea Eagles bosses was premature, considering there’s a chance his side are dumped out of finals this weekend.
“I don’t think it’s premature for 12 months, because he has 12 months left on his contract and to add another 12 months, I think he’s earnt that,” Carayannis said.
“Based on the fact they have got to week two of the finals… they haven’t taken it to Anthony, he might knock it back.
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“They were sitting in 12th when these contract negotiations sort of blew up, Manly said they are just going to park this until the end of the season to assess where you’re at.
“Because if he didn’t make the finals, there was no contract extension and he would have started next season under pressure.
“It’s about stability, and not coaching for the short term vision. I think getting to week two, I think he’s done his job. I think with that roster… that’s par for mine.”
For Fox League’s James Hooper, Seibold has done an impressive job this season, considering key troops have been missing.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic were sidelined due to Origin commitments, while superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic’s campaign has been riddled with injuries.
“He has done a good job under pressure for the back half of the season, there’s been periods where he hasn’t had Tom Trbojevic, had players missing,” Hooper said.
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