Manly coach Trent Barrett might not see out the remainder of the season, with journalist Phil Rothfield reporting Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn is keen to give Barrett the flick before Manly's clash with Brisbane on Sunday.
Speaking to Fox Sports’ Controversy Corner, Rothfield outlined a conversation between Barrett and the Sunday Telegraph, and said Penn is taking action following some of the claims in the piece.
“I’m not convinced he’ll be there at Suncorp Stadium next week for their final game of the season,” Rothfield said on Sunday.
“I’m saying that as a result of Trent Barrett speaking to the Sunday Telegraph in detail today about the problems he’s had with facilities at Manly, Scott Penn the chairman and owner of the club has told Dean Ritchie for the story in the Daily Telegraph that he’ll be visiting his lawyer first thing in the morning to look at options to sack Trent Barrett tomorrow.
“It’s a case of where he’s come out quite powerfully and quite strong today criticising the owners and the management of the club over lack of action over the last three years."
Rothfield took sides with Barrett, and said Penn should look at himself first before trying to get rid of the Sea Eagles' coach.
“You know what Scott Penn should do when he goes to the lawyers tomorrow? Sack himself. Because the conditions Trent Barrett has had to put up with at Manly are an absolute disgrace,” Rothfield added.
“I met Trent on Friday and he was desperately upset and emotional about the whole thing. “Halfway through the interview he got up rubbing his eyes and you could tell he was about to cry and left the room. He’s really, really upset about what’s happening.
“Manly will attempt as Dean Ritchie says to get rid of him straight away. The bottom line is he put a 12-month resignation in in July, so officially he cannot go anywhere until July unless they want to pay him out.”
Barrett has led the team in 72 matches, and has a coaching record of 29 wins and 43 losses.