Matty Johns has made his prediction on who will take over the Manly Sea Eagles as the long-term head coach and he feels it should be Broncos assistant Matt Ballin. Interim coach Kieran Foran got off to the best possible start to his coaching career on Thursday night after Manly thrashed the Dolphins 52-18 to record their first win of the season.
Foran made the brave choice to stick with the core group of players who had started the season 0-3 and was rewarded with a barnstorming performance. Jake Trbojevic was a one of the biggest improvers after a brilliant first-half.
Matty Johns (pictured right) has predicted the Manly Sea Eagles will lean towards Matt Ballin as the next head coach, despite Kieran Foran’s early success as interim. (Images: Getty Images)
And Johns praised Foran’s ability to instil some passion into the playing group with the leaders stepping up after a tough start to the season under Seibold. “But he’s the perfect guy to follow in if you’re Kieran Foran, because he’s put a lot of things in place,” Johns said on SEN Radio about the difference Foran brings.
“Kieran Foran walks in, and he’s just got the respect. He knows how to get players up for games. I just saw that difference last night, just that sprinkle of emotion in their performance.”
And Johns feels there could be a little momentum coming Manly’s way, which could put pressure on the Manly hierarchy to lock down Foran. “I think there is every chance they are going to go on a run here…they have their confidence up, Foran’s moved in and has all the respect of the players…if they do go on the run we are talking about, fans will be saying, ‘sign him, sign him,'” Johns said on Friday morning.
However, Johns feels even if Foran gets on a bit of a roll he might not be the permanent coach going forward. The former player claimed the Manly bosses might look to a former player with a little more experience at the top level.
“I think Ballin is probably the man,” Johns said. “Put it this way, I think he is the man. I would be saying, ‘Foz, I got no doubt you can be a head coach one day, let’s just have a couple of years, formulate all your ideas and away you go.'”
Former Broncos player Denan Kemp agreed Ballin is still the frontrunner after Foran’s debut win as coach. Kemp feels Manly need to appoint the next head coach who will lean on the Old Boys identity.
Kieran Foran inspired the Manly Sea Eagles to a huge win over the Dolphins.
(Albert Perez via Getty Images)Michael Maguire supports Matt Ballin
Ballin is currently working as an assistant to Broncos coach Michael Maguire. The Broncos coach was asked about Ballin and Maguire hinted he wouldn’t stand in the assistant’s way if offered the head coaching role at his former club. “I haven’t even spoke to Matty, but I want all my staff to excel in whatever it is they do and whatever they want to do,” If those things arise, we will talk about it.
“Matty is a great human, great person. And those things come to people who work hard. If it’s the right time, it’s the right time.”
Matt Ballin (pictured) has been tipped as the frontrunner for the head coaching role at the Manly Sea Eagles.
(Albert Perez via Getty Images)