Laurie Daley has told Manly he is open to working with the embattled NRL club in a culture and pathways role.
Manly’s ongoing saga hit another low this week, with leaked emails to News Corp revealing key details around the controversial rollout of the pride jersey in August.
Des Hasler is still no guarantee to stay on as coach next year, with issues continuing to linger around the the power struggle at the Sea Eagles and the seven-player boycott of the round-20 strip that crushed their season.
A call on Hasler could be made as soon as this week, with owner Scott Penn back in the country and the veteran mentor mulling over his own future.
Anthony Seibold remains the favourite to land the job if Hasler walks, with the former South Sydney and Brisbane coach otherwise likely to come on board as an assistant as part of a long-term succession plan.
But regardless, Daley has confirmed his interest in a role at the club – whoever is coaching.
The former Canberra Raiders star has not had a working position within a club since he moved on from coaching NSW’s State of Origin side at the end of 2017.
“I had a phone call from Tony Mestrov from Manly,” Daley said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday.
“There is no formal offer in place, it was just a discussion around Manly and whether I would be interested in a role with there to do with their pathways.
“It was a bit of everything – leadership, culture, your pathways and connection to the team and community.
“The discussions I had were that this is a position that they will go with … regardless of who the coach is.
“I gave an indication I would be interested to pursue it further.”
Daley’s role would be crucial given AAP has been told there is a push on the Northern Beaches for the club to place a bigger focus on local talent, in a move away from their Blacktown Workers pathway system.
A complete shift is unlikely, particularly given a drop in player numbers on the beaches, but Manly’s management are aware there needs to be a fine balance struck.
“I’m not inside Manly. I don’t know their DNA. But a different set of eyes (could be helpful),” Daley said.
“There is no coaching element.
“It’s all about having an outsider and having a look at their list, their pathways and a bit about leadership and culture.”
Daley admitted he would have several hurdles to jump to take up a position.
One of those would be the NRL authorising the role, given Daley currently works for a gambling organisation in his on-air breakfast job with the TAB.
Manly’s chief sponsor, PointsBet, is a rival of the TAB, potentially creating another challenge.
