{"id":569215,"date":"2026-03-28T04:03:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/569215\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T04:03:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:03:10","slug":"what-anthony-seibold-sacking-means-for-sea-eagles-opinion-analysis-burning-questions-sea-eagles-press-conference-kieran-foran-interim-coach-news-reaction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/569215\/","title":{"rendered":"what Anthony Seibold sacking means for Sea Eagles, opinion, analysis, burning questions, Sea Eagles press conference, Kieran Foran interim coach, news, reaction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Within a wild 24 hours, the Manly Sea Eagles sacked their coach and appointed a shock name to take control of the team in an interim role for the rest of 2026.<\/p>\n

Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

Anthony Seibold was relieved of his duties on Friday, the day after the club dropped to 0-3 on the season. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n

The next morning, rookie assistant coach Kieran Foran was named as his replacement for the mean time at a press conference<\/a> fronted by Foran, CEO Jason King and chairman Scott Penn.<\/p>\n

According to Penn, something had to give after Manly failed to change several bad habits that were raised with Seibold at last year\u2019s end of season review following a disappointing 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

Three games into the season to fire a coach is very early as Fox League\u2019s Greg Alexander suggested, but as Penn explained on Saturday, the club didn\u2019t want to wait \u201cthree more games and risk falling to 0-6\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s very early. Would I have given him more time? I\u2019m not there. I don\u2019t know exactly what happens during the week,\u201d Alexander said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo give a proper answer or one that isn\u2019t speculation, I think you have to be inside the camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s a results-based business but if I\u2019m looking at last night\u2019s game, well I\u2019m thinking that Manly weren\u2019t that bad. There was a five minute period where the Roosters ran in three tries so I could see that there was a response from the Manly players last night.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes a coach loses the dressing room but I would say he hasn\u2019t otherwise there wouldn\u2019t have been a response (last night) \u2026 I think it\u2019s very early.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless, the Sea Eagles have gone in the direction they have. So, what does that mean for the club and all involved?<\/p>\n

Read on for the burning questions in the wake of the firing of Anthony Seibold.<\/p>\n

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MANLY IN THE SHORT TERM?<\/p>\n

At 0-3 and with a rookie assistant coach appointed in the interim role, the 2026 season outlook doesn\u2019t look flash for the Sea Eagles if we\u2019re going to be brutally honest.<\/p>\n

As chairman Scott Penn confirmed, a reason why the coach was jettisoned just three games into the season was because the club believes they are still a chance to play finals football.<\/p>\n

Manly weren\u2019t keen to wait and see if Seibold could turn the ship around in the next few weeks and risk that he wouldn\u2019t be able to, instead willing to rip the band-aid off now in order to save their season.<\/p>\n

One could argue that firing their coach so soon would only severely hamper their chance to reach the top eight, but it\u2019s clear that the club is confident they have the roster to be in the finals race.<\/p>\n

That notion is hard to argue with. <\/p>\n

While there are some flaws, the roster is loaded with talent, as Foran explained in Saturday morning\u2019s press conference, calling fullback Tom Trbojevic one of the game\u2019s best players and Tolu Koula among the NRL\u2019s best outside backs. <\/p>\n

In addition, the Sea Eagles boast a gun back rower in Haumole Olakau\u2019atu, a more than capable half in Jamal Fogarty and reliable forwards Kobe Hetherington and Taniela Paseka. <\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be a task, but the Sea Eagles have the pieces to make a finals run despite the rough start. It\u2019ll just depend on if the playing group can buy into what Foran is selling. <\/p>\n

MORE SEIBOLD NEWS<\/p>\n

CONTENDERS: Ex-NRL coach \u2018in the thick of it\u2019 \u2026 and a club legend<\/a><\/p>\n

REACTION: Manly assistant \u2018shocked\u2019 by Seibold stunner<\/a><\/p>\n

ANALYSIS: NRL\u2019s most brutal truth turned Seibold\u2019s house to ash<\/a><\/p>\n

Foran on appointment as Manly head coach | 22:33<\/p>\n

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SEIBOLD?<\/p>\n

As reported by Code Sports on Friday night, Seibold will be owed a $300,000 severance package from the club.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s likely he steps away from the NRL for the remainder of the year to plot his next move. <\/p>\n

The former Dally M Coach of the Year will have options to return as an assistant coach somewhere in the league but it\u2019s hard to gauge whether there will be interest in him when a head coach gig opens up.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth mentioning that between stepping down in 2020 and signing a deal to become Manly\u2019s coach in late 2022, Seibold switched codes and worked under Eddie Jones for the England rugby union team.<\/p>\n

In his 148 games as an NRL head coach for Souths, Brisbane and Manly, Seibold has compiled a record of 70 wins, 75 losses and three draws. <\/p>\n

While he did lead the Sea Eagles to the finals in 2023 and 2024, he failed to get the most out of his talented roster and ended with a mediocre 48% winning strike rate during his three and a bit seasons at the club. <\/p>\n

WHO IS LEADING THE RACE FOR VACANT GIG?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve delved into a much more detailed look at the main contenders for the Sea Eagles vacancy here.<\/a><\/p>\n

At this early stage, it appears there are three frontrunners.<\/p>\n

So far, those names are former Eels mentor Brad Arthur, club legend Matt Ballin and Dragons assistant and Fox League\u2019s Michael Ennis.<\/p>\n

Foran, of course, can put himself into contention for the full time gig if he can salvage something from this season and impress in a tough situation.<\/p>\n

Penn admitted there is an allure of hiring a head coach who is a previous Sea Eagles player, which would favour Ballin and Foran of the names above.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously there is history there,\u201d Penn said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in our 80th year, we have played in 20 grand finals. Not all of those 20 grand finals were Manly people, but the 8 premierships we won have been. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not mandatory, but there is certainly history.\u201d<\/p>\n

Broncos assistant and Manly legend Martt Ballin is a frontrunner for the Sea Eagles\u2019 coaching gig.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM KIERAN FORAN?<\/p>\n

Foran won\u2019t be expected to produce miracles, but there\u2019s an expectation that the Sea Eagles are able to get their season back on track under the rookie coach according to Penn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that we have a fantastic squad here. We know that Kieran has an opportunity to do something special. That\u2019s what we are backing right now,\u201d the chairman said.<\/p>\n

Foran boasts a terrific relationship with the playing group, is a club legend who is well respected and knows what it takes to win. <\/p>\n

CEO Jason King, a former teammate of Foran at Manly, said as much on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the strengths that Kieran brings to this role is that we are really fortunate to have someone of Kieran\u2019s ilk in the building already is a deep connection to the club,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was fortunate to play with Kieran for a part of my career. He always came across as a character of really high standards not only of himself but of his teammates. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to have Kieran involved, he has a strong connection, he is a life member of the club, has played nearly 200 matches for the club. <\/p>\n

\u201cTo have him we think is important now and will generate that great connection with the playing group that he already has and build on that.\u201d<\/p>\n

THE HALVES SITUATION<\/p>\n

As mentioned, there is plenty of hope around Brookvale that the club will return to competing seriously for a premiership sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

A look at the roster, and there are key pieces on the books which shows why the outlook is bright. <\/p>\n

One of those is young gun Joey Walsh, who is expected to achieve big things in the NRL.<\/p>\n

Walsh was awesome in the pre-season and is knocking on the door of a regular first grade opportunity.<\/p>\n

However, the club don\u2019t want to put him in a situation that could disadvantage him or stunt his growth, as their former coach mentioned in one of his last Sea Eagles interviews.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s only 19. What we don\u2019t want to do is put him in too early and we need to get into some good touch as well and bring him into a team that is in good form,\u201d Seibold said on Thursday before the loss to the Roosters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want him to play 80 minutes. Everyone can see the quality in Joey, knowing he\u2019s going to be a long-term player. But we need to make sure we don\u2019t set him up to fail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to set him up for his future, not just this year or next year, it\u2019s about the next 10 or 12 years with Joey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fox League\u2019s Matty Johns shares the same opinion, believing Walsh is on a hiding to nothing if he\u2019s playing behind a struggling forward pack that\u2019s losing the battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think particularly (with) the way the side\u2019s playing, it\u2019s very, very difficult when the side is in a hole, particularly with the forwards struggling to get ascendancy, to bring the young halfback in,\u201d Johns said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019re doing him a favour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Five-eighth Luke Brooks has struggled this season so he\u2019s on the hot seat if Walsh continues to impress at training and in NSW Cup with new recruit Jamal Fogarty\u2019s position much safer given he has joined the club on a big-money deal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Within a wild 24 hours, the Manly Sea Eagles sacked their coach and appointed a shock name to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":569216,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[8082,64,63,96558,232600,19098,6173,1208,279833,2057,28463,12735,10398,763,47999,11102,82839,89885,5330,279834,6086,279832,4518,154769,4590,4484,22334,279831,4459,4601,50875,32917,761,762,3583,158,10185,668,279840,279839,29378,279835,279838,161885,279836,85,279837,4535,225612,18558],"class_list":["post-569215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-anthony-seibold","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-band-aid","tag-brad-arthur","tag-burning-questions","tag-club-legend","tag-england","tag-ennis-amp-foz","tag-europe","tag-finals-football","tag-finals-race","tag-finals-run","tag-fox-league","tag-grand-finals","tag-greg-alexander","tag-guitar-slim","tag-halves-situation","tag-head-coach","tag-head-coach-gig","tag-interim-coach","tag-interim-role","tag-jamal-fogarty","tag-jason-king","tag-joey-walsh","tag-kieran-foran","tag-kobe-hetherington","tag-life-member","tag-luke-brooks","tag-manly-sea-eagles","tag-matt-ballin","tag-michael-ennis","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-northern-europe","tag-nrl","tag-playing-group","tag-press-conference","tag-risk-falling","tag-rookie-assistant","tag-rookie-coach","tag-sacking-means","tag-season-outlook","tag-season-review","tag-severance-package","tag-sports","tag-time-gig","tag-tom-trbojevic","tag-winning-strike-rate","tag-world-health-organization"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=569215"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569215\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/569216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=569215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=569215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=569215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}