Manly boss lashes out at Barrett, Sea Eagles coach fires back

Manly coach Trent Barrett has expressed his disappointment over club chairman Scott Penn's demonstrative comments towards him.

Penn told The Daily Telegraph that the club was unhappy with Barrett's handling of his resignation and that they were actively looking for his replacement.

“We are deeply unhappy at what has transpired,” Penn told The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday morning.

“There have been decisions made out of our control that aren’t in the spirit of the club.

“I am very disappointed that we are here, that’s the best way to describe it.

“I think that (accepting Barrett back) would be difficult, really difficult. We backed him the entire time. We would be crazy not to look at the market and look at who is available and what we need.

“And we are looking for proven performers, we are not in a position to back a rookie coach. We tried it, it had strong potential but it seemingly hasn’t worked at this stage.”

And the Sea Eagles mentor has not taken kindly to the assault in a press conference later on Wednesday morning.

“I was disappointed with what was written or said in The Telegraph today,” Barrett said.

“In light of today I will make a statement in due course.

“I’ve had to front up to some heavy press conferences in the past month about it and I’ve tried to have some dignity. It’s tough to stand here today and not say anything today as well.

“Anything I say is going to be pretty controversial today, I will make a public statement in the next few days.

“It’s been difficult and certainly not something that you want to go through, not just us but the players and your family.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t make any public statement for a long time and I’ve had to sit here with cameras in my face for a long time and I’ve had to deal with that.”

Barrett remained tight-lipped on the club's coaching plans moving forward despite Penn confirming his resignation.

“We are not in a position to back a rookie coach. We tried it, it had strong potential but it seemingly hasn’t worked,” Penn said, with the club considering a list that includes Tim Sheens, Michael Maguire, John Cartwright and Neil Henry."

Barrett added that his relationship with the players was transparent.

“The players know exactly where I stand with them."