Des Hasler contract saga takes dramatic twist over clause

Manly coach Des Hasler’s contract saga has taken another twist with reports the club has wiped away the second year of the reported deal.

The negotiations have taken volatile turns this week after reports a two-year deal had been agreed in principle months ago.

It emerged following the Sea Eagles’ abysmal Round 1 loss to the Roosters that Hasler was fighting to save his career with contract negotiations going cold.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield originally reported that Manly and Hasler were wrangling over a new contract with the two parties yet to reach an agreement over performance clauses.

The 60-year-old is currently in the final season of a three-year contract with the club.

According to the report, Hasler was eager for another three-year deal, which Manly would only allow if the contract could be terminated at any time.

That report was followed by a contrasting report that Hasler and Manly were ready to announce a new two-year deal this week.

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However, Rothfield reported on Twitter Tuesday evening the Sea Eagles have handed Hasler a one-year extension that protects the club from paying out any long-term contract should Hasler’s contract be torn up.

“The truth on Des Hasler’s future at @SeaEagles – club has rejected his bid for new 3 year contract,” Rothfield posted.

“In a compromise, club has extended his deal for 12 months only. Prevents huge payout.”

It comes after Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler had claimed Hasler would put pen to paper on a two-year contract.

Des Hasler is still yet to sign.Source:Getty Images

“I think it’s really safe,” Weidler said.

“There’s been a lot of speculation in recent times about Des Hasler and Manly, but he has a handshake deal with Manly which he did before Christmas and that’s going to be crystallised in a contract which will be announced as a new two-year deal, and that will be finalised in coming days.”

Hasler apologised to Manly fans after the Round 1 defeat.

“First game of the year, you expect a better result and performance,” Hasler told reporters after the game.

“I thought our edges, defensively we missed too many tackles.

“I thought in the middle we were matching it. I thought we did pretty well there.

“I feel a bit sorry for the fans in particular.

“We need to give a better account of ourselves individually and for the club and the fans. We need to make that pretty quickly.”

Des Hasler is reportedly fighting to save his career.Source:News Corp Australia

Hasler coached the Sea Eagles for eight seasons between 2004 and 2011, winning two NRL premierships with the Sydney-based club.

He then took charge of the Canterbury Bulldogs for six years before a messy divorce, where the coach took legal action to get a $1 million payout.

Manly finished 13th on the NRL ladder last year, winning only seven games in the 20-round season.

The club has struggled without superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic, without whom it boasts a pitiful 29 per cent win rate under Hasler’s guidance.

The Sea Eagles will next face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval on Saturday afternoon.

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