Manly coach considering legal action against club over controversial pride jersey saga

Manly coach Des Hasler is considering taking legal action against the club over the pride jersey saga that hampered the team’s season. 

It was the fiasco that drew outrage from NRL fans.

Back in round 20 seven of the Sea Eagles’ best players withdrew from the fixture against the Roosters after refusing to wear a rainbow jersey.

They cited their religious and cultural beliefs as means of not being able to wear a few rainbow stripes. 

NRL/Supplied.

It sparked an incredibly horrid time for the Manly side, as they finished off the season with seven straight and a reported divide in the dressing room.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Hasler is now considering a $1 million lawsuit against the club over the decision to implement the pride jersey without consultation with himself or the football department.

The 61-year-old was set to trigger an automatic contract extension for the 2024 season if the team reached the top six in 2022.

However, the paper reports that he believes the team’s fall in form was directly attributed to the pride jersey controversy, prohibiting him from fulfilling his contractual obligations. 

The team lost all seven of their last seven games, finishing at least five wins out of finals contention in 11th place.

NRL/Supplied.

As a result, Hasler’s position as head coach is being considered by the club with reports from The Daily Telegraph noting that the team are looking at replacements.

The likes of Anthony Seibold and Josh Hannay are being linked with the job.

So far Manly has refused to give their current coach a contract extension, with his deal expiring at the end of 2023. 

It is believed Hasler could even be out of the club as soon as the next month if the relationship continues to sour, and Hasler does indeed go through with the lawsuit. 

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans came out in support of his current coach as per news.com.au. 

He said: “I always stay in contact with Des.

“We have a great relationship as coach and captain at Manly. That is why I always endorse him — because we do have such a good relationship.

“It is not for me to get in the way of the club and his relationship. 

“They obviously have business to sort out and I am sure they will get it done by the time we get back for pre-season.”