Questions are being asked why Manly have not signed Kieran Foran as their head coach after the interim boss led them from last on the ladder to genuine premiership smokeys in a month.
When Foran took over the Manly side after Anthony Seibold’s sacking, the team hadn’t won a game and were languishing at the bottom of the ladder, but are now pushing for a top four spot after four wins and a narrow loss to the Panthers.
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“Kieran Foran’s completely turned this team around, I think he doesn’t need to prove any more and they should just sign him as head coach,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read agreed in a results driven business, Foran has to be the leading candidate.
“Well, it’s hard to argue, I mean, four wins in five games, and the only defeat was to Penrith,” Read said.
“It’s hard to argue he shouldn’t get the role. Look, I don’t think they need to rush it. I think you can take a couple more weeks, but I don’t think the results are going to change.
“But they play a Brisbane side this week that’s going to be pretty under strength. I expect Manly to win at home before a full house. Maybe next week’s the time to do it.
“It’s unbelievable what he’s done, it’s nuts.”
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The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie is shocked Manly hasn’t pulled the trigger already.
“I am surprised that Manly board hasn’t come forward and said, right that’s enough,” Ritchie said.
“We’ve seen enough five games, four wins, pushing the Panthers right to the end. That’s enough for me, he should be signed.”
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Broncos legend Gorden Tallis feels the Sea Eagles are doing their due diligence, but Foran proved against Penrith that he has a great future as a coach.
“I think they’ve got to show the fans a bit more respect,” Tallis said.
“I think taking it a little bit slow and they had a softer draw, and everybody was saying, wait until they come to this part of the competition and it was Penrith, and I saw enough to go, that’s enough.”
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Anasta questioned what the delay is if Foran is the best available candidate.
“It’s crazy and I think the fans would be happy if they signed him, to be honest,” Anasta said. “And just quickly, if it’s not him, who is it?”
“Well, I mean, obviously, the names we talked about before, Matt Ballin, is obviously the one,” Read said.
“Brad Arthur is another one. He’s got until June 30, to determine his future over there at Leeds.”
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“Could Brad Arthur have done what Kieran’s done?” Anasta interjected.
Ritchie warned if Manly don’t snap up Foran, they risk struggling clubs getting in first.
“I don’t think so and I think Kieran’s the man, they should sign him up now,” Ritchie said. “What happens if the Dragons knock on Kieran’s door tomorrow and say, if you’re not being re-signed, can we have a chat to you?”
However, Anasta feels Manly know Foran covets the Sea Eagles job and have time on their side to make the right call.
“That’s where they Manly can use it to their advantage, because they know he’s loyal,” Anasta said.
“They know he wants that job, and he’s not going to go.
“He’s in one-out-one-back with this job, and the players want him, and he wants it and as much as they can delay it longer, but I just can’t see it falling any other way. I mean, he’d have to have a disaster over the next two months.”
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Ritchie marvelled at Manly’s turnaround from battlers to a genuine threat for the top four and the title in such a short space of time.
“To what do we put Manly now in the pecking order for a premiership?” Ritchie said.
“I mean, clearly, they’re on the second tier, but are they now in that area where we can discuss them legitimately as being a side that can really push hard for a top four?”
Tallis feels Manly are a finals team and are knocking on the door of the top four.
“I think if they get it right with the whole squad, I think they’re a top eight side and I tell you what, you wouldn’t like to play them,” Tallis said.
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