Sea Eagles faithful can only wonder how title-winning coach was allowed to get away
Adrian Proszenko
October 8, 2011
WHEN Des Hasler channelled his inner Jerry Maguire and told a roomful of Manly figures to ''show him the money'' at Le Kiosk on Thursday, nobody chuckled louder than those charged with retaining him.
Given that Hasler went into the 2011 season on a contract worth just $450,000, it's little wonder he wanted a new deal that reflected his status as a dual premiership winner.
Until yesterday morning, Sea Eagles officials believed they had delivered it - a rich three-year extension. The base contract alone was worth just under double what he was on, but with performance clauses Hasler stood to earn more than a $1 million next year if he could guide his side to back-to-back titles. No clipboard holder, with the exception of Wayne Bennett, can command more.
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On Tuesday night, chairman Scott Penn and Phil Sidney from the club's other major stakeholder, Quantum, believed they had their man. They met Hasler earlier in the day, and had reached his asking price. They were under the impression that it was a done deal. Only the finer details needed to be thrashed out, and it was expected Hasler would meet them yesterday or today, ballpoint in hand, to sign the deal.
Unbeknown to all on the northern beaches, however, the Bulldogs were at work. In a stunning twist, Canterbury officials snuck under Manly's guard, and the 49-year-old will head to Belmore in 2013 - even earlier if the Sea Eagles decide his position is now untenable. So how did Manly let Hasler slip from their grasp?
When former CEO Graham Lowe stepped down for health reasons, a subcommittee was formed to negotiate Hasler's contract extension. It comprised Penn, Damian Smith from the Leagues Club board and Quantum's Drew Townsend. Hasler had signed on for next season but held off on a longer-term deal. As the months rolled on, Manly's star - and Hasler's asking price - soared. As one official lamented yesterday: ''We could have got him for $600,000 three months ago.'' Meanwhile, newly appointed chief operating officer, David Perry, was grappling with other pressing issues, including the fallout from DonnyBrookvale and Zorbagate, and delivering to the board a long-term strategic plan in an attempt to stem the club's losses.
It can be revealed that as far back as April 21, a Sea Eagles board meeting resolved that Hasler's contract should be extended until the end of 2014. ''Why that wasn't acted upon, you'll probably get different stories,'' an insider said.
Throughout the Hasler retention process, Bob Reilly's position has been unequivocal. The chairman of the Manly district and leagues club - which owns 22 per cent of the entire organisation - has pushed for Hasler's retention to be top priority. He made his stance public on September 23 when he sent out an email to his 22,000 members which stated: '' support the extension of Des Hasler's contract to coach the Sea Eagles.''
Asked yesterday why the deal never eventuated, Reilly said: ''You would have to ask the chairman. He's been the only [one] that seems to have been in dialogue with the coach.''
Penn, who met yesterday with federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to discuss funding for Brookvale Oval, was unavailable for comment.
Bulldogs officials and their Manly counterparts could not be contacted last night, although Canterbury are expected to make an official announcement today. The timing allowed Hasler to explain his decision to his players, staff and the board at the club's awards night at Miramare Gardens at Terrey Hills last night.
According to Manly's official Twitter page, Hasler told the crowd last night: ''2011 will be forever remembered as the year of the Sea Eagles, wouldn't it be great to do back to back.''
Asked if Hasler could coach the Sea Eagles after pledging his allegiance elsewhere, Lowe said: ''That's totally down to Des and the club, but if there is going to be a change … it's probably better sooner than later.''
Former Manly co-owner Max Delmege said: ''Des is entitled to go where he wants to go. He's been great for Manly, he's the coach that's got us to three grand finals, we've won two premierships, and I couldn't thank him any more.''
Despite the news, TAB Sportsbet retained Manly as $7 favourites for next year's title.
