Updated March 28, 2026 — 9:37am,first published 9:14am
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The Sea Eagles have named former Manly playmaker Kieran Foran as their interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season after this masthead revealed Anthony Seibold had been sacked on Friday night.
Foran, who retired from rugby league last year at the Titans, played nine seasons for the Sea Eagles, first from 2009 to 2015, and again from 2021 to 2022.
He was part of the 2011 premiership team alongside former captain Daly Cherry-Evans, and has also spent time at the Warriors, Eels, Bulldogs and Titans.
The Kiwi international holds a commentating role with Fox Sports and joined as an assistant coach under Seibold in 2026.
“Shocked, shocked,” Foran said on Friday night on Fox Sports when asked about Seibold’s sacking. “It was business as usual for us … obviously a disappointing loss last night [against the Roosters], we were in there this morning with Seibs, going through the review of last night’s game … and preparing for Sunday’s training.”
Kieran Foran will take the reins at Manly for the remained of 2026.Dominic Lorrimer
The 35-year-old is now tasked with turning the club around following three straight losses to start the season.
Just six months on from his own retirement, the appointment of Foran isn’t too dissimilar to the appointment of Benji Marshall at the Tigers – also a club legend and premiership winner.
Seibold was sensationally sacked on Friday night less than 24 hours after Manly’s 33-16 loss to the Roosters on Thursday night. He was just three games into a new contract with the club, which was meant to run until the end of the 2027 season.
Former Manly coach Anthony Seibold who was sacked on Friday night.Sam Mooy
The 2018 Dally M coach of the year needed a fast start after the Sea Eagles missed the finals last year, finishing 10th. However, even by the NRL’s ruthless standards, getting sacked in round four – the Sea Eagles have also had a bye – is a shock.
Foran will now join a list of contenders for the head coach role when it comes up at the end of the year, which also includes former Eels coach Brad Arthur, Matt Ballin and Michael Ennis.
More to come.
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Billie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners