The clause triggering an automatic extension of Des Haslerโs contract is once again in the limelight as rumours resurface that Hasler is back under pressure to retain his job following Manlyโs recent stumbles.
SEN Radioโs Michelle Bishop has reported that the club have decided to keep the clause, ensuring Hasler is unlikely to have his contract extended beyond 2023.
The news comes just weeks after the Pride Jersey fiasco, after which Manly owner Scott Penn advised Hasler could be coach for โas long as he wantsโ following the leadership he displayed during the controversial time.
โIโm not going into details (about the contract),โ Penn said in the aftermath.
โWeโve got rolling extensions (built in) and for Des, an automatic renewal based on performance. Itโs sensible. But at the same time, Des is there for as long as he wants to be.โ
At the time it seemed like a show of support for the coach in the aftermath of a divisive time, but according to Bishop that isnโt necessarily the case and the clause may be a double-edged sword that provides the club with the excuse they need to move Hasler on.
โ(Hasler) has a clause in his contract that wouldโve activated for him to continue through 2024 should he make the top eight,โ Bishop said.
โThe board is staying with that, even with the pride round fiascoโฆ effectively giving up two points and cruelling Manlyโs chances.
โThe board has retained the contract as is. There was no leniency under the circumstances.โ
โYouโd have to imagine right now Des Hasler is one very nervous man.โ
The Sea Eagles are currently on a three-game losing streak and have only the smallest of possible chances to still qualify for this yearโs finals series.
They face the last-placed Gold Coast Titans this Sunday afternoon at 4.05pm (AEST). Kieran Foran has been named in the halves for Manly, facing the side heโs committed to joining from next year.
