Kieran Foran’s appointment as Manly interim coach has been labelled a “PR stunt”, with Sea Eagles bosses coming under fire over the sacking of head coach Anthony Seibold. Manly club legend Foran was thrust into the top job for the rest of the season, despite just three games as an assistant coach under his belt, having retired from the NRL last year.
Critics have questioned whether Foran is ready to take the reins with so little experience, but Manly owner Scott Penn and CEO Jason King insist he’s the right man to lead the struggling club froward. But News Corp league journalist David Riccio took a blowtorch to the decision-making process at Manly on Tuesday night’s episode of NRL 360 on Fox League.
Manly owner Scott Penn (middle) and club bosses have been slammed over the process that has seen rookie coach Kieran Foran thrust into the top job at the Sea Eagles. Pic: Getty
He said other clubs would have a clear strategy or succession plan in place if they were going to replace a coach. And Riccio says he feels for Foran after claiming the rookie coach is on a hiding to nothing at the embattled Sea Eagles.
“I think he’s absolutely been thrown in the deep end, to the point that I honestly can’t believe the appointment,” Riccio said on NRL 360. “Manly fans will jump at me because they love that one of their own is taking control of this football club which is in disarray. I won’t say it’s brain dead, but it’s close enough to it because it lacks strategy.”
Veteran journalist Paul Crawley agreed, questioning why Manly didn’t let go of Seibold last year after a season of disappointment both on and off the field. “You’re right Dave, that they’ve throw (Foran) in the deep end because right now it is probably the right decision for them but it’s the wrong decision because it shows no foresight which has been a problem for ages,” he said.
Sea Eagles bosses have repeatedly talked about the importance of having someone with “Manly DNA” when discussing who their next head coach might be. Foran ticks that box after playing 196 games for the club and winning a premiership with Manly, but Riccio claims his appointment is more about appeasing disgruntled fans, than any kind of clear strategy.
Kieran Foran has been named interim coach at Manly despite having just three games as an assistant under Anthony Seibold. Pic: AAP/Getty
“You’re throwing in a 35-year-old who has been at the football club for less than four months (as an assistant) with limited coaching experience and putting that type of pressure on him to rectify this problem that could’ve been sorted by the pre-season,” he said. “I want to make this clear, I love Kieran Foran. He could be a future coach but it’s a decision made by a management of a team that are completely focused on appeasing fans.
“Is Manly playing for next week against the Dolphins and that’s it? Because it feels like all they’re worried about is ass-covering for next week’s game and getting a result next week. There’s nothing to do with the vision or a plan here and I say this knowing the likes of the Storm and Panthers plan two and three years in advance.”