Manly have a board with no RL experience and they rush and appointment a head coach with nil 1st grade coaching experience. This board is making Humphreys & WT board look like brain surgeons ATM.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/des-hasler-enemies-lose-manly-sea-eagles-board-boilover/story-e6frexnr-1226163411462
GEOFF Toovey's coaching appointment is the first piece of positive news to emerge from Brookvale in more than a week.
But don't be fooled into thinking the dysfunctional board is suddenly united.
The Daily Telegraph can exclusively reveal some board members yesterday wanted to sack Des Hasler for next season and install Toovey immediately.
Several influential figures at Brookvale immediately intervened and, after lengthy debate through the day, convinced the board to keep Hasler for 2012 and hand Toovey the reins for 2013 and 2014. And luckily they did.
Manly Sea Eagles players yesterday revealed their anger at talk Hasler could be shafted for next season.
The players, in no uncertain terms, told chairman Scott Penn and rookie chief operating officer David Perry - himself under pressure to retain his job - of their strong desire for Hasler to return again next season.
Penn, though, was one board member who wanted Hasler at Brookvale for next season. Others on the board felt Hasler's retention could damage Manly's chances in 2012.
The anti-Hasler faction was shouted down.
Officials from rival clubs were last night stunned the Manly board appointed Toovey so quickly.
One well-placed Sydney NRL official said: "A board with no league experience just rushed the appointment of a head coach in 72 hours. What a joke."
The Manly board has been under incredible pressure since allowing Hasler to walk away for Belmore. It was the greatest bungle in Manly's 64-year history.
Appointing Toovey now allows the board to garnish some public support.
But the fans won't be completely fooled.
Manly supporters yesterday contacted The Daily Telegraph expressing their plans to call an extraordinary general meeting to oust football club and leagues club chairman Bob Reilly, who holds the balance of power.
Whispers are increasing that Peter Peters, dumped by the club after 42 years, may run against Reilly at next month's football club elections. After the Hasler debacle, it is certain Peters would swing into power.
Penn is the majority shareholder but only has two votes on the seven-man board.
It is understood Penn is now looking to acquire more power in the coming year.
Toovey, meanwhile, will become the latest ex-Manly player to take over as head coach at Brookvale.
A Belrose junior, he is respected among the players although some players did want the club to ask about Ricky Stuart's position.
Toovey may have to build the club coaching staff from the ground-up if most, as anticipated, follow Hasler to Belmore in 2013.
The club's recruitment guru Noel Cleal may join Hasler, as could video analyst Will Badel and possibly head trainer Don Singe.
Toovey is a tough little competitor who will quickly stamp his own authority on the top job at Brookvale.
He was tenacious and tough as a player - he will be the same as a coach.
No one should under-estimate Toovey's assistance to Hasler over the past four years, when Manly have won two premierships.
Cliff Lyons has been tipped as Toovey's assistant.
Lyons last night said he had always held ambitions of coaching in the NRL.
"It's definitely something I want to do, without a doubt," Lyons said. "I've been coaching in the local league for the last couple of years and I've done well in that."
