Manly are “adamant” assistant coach Shane Flanagan has their help to stay on the membership, regardless of signing a three-year deal to take over as head coach at St George-Illawarra.
Unlike Jason Ryles, who was proven the door on the Sydney Roosters when in discussions for the Dragons’ high job, Flanagan is about to see out his deal on the Sea Eagles.
But Fox League’s Gorden Tallis believes the job juggle received’t work.
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“How long is he going to stay at Manly?” he questioned on NRL 360.
“I don’t care how good you are, you can’t do two jobs 100%. No one can.
“If he’s there, he’s going to start recruiting – are they Manly players?
“If I’m a coach, I’m looking at that roster. You’re right there and see them every day.”
But James Hooper stated Manly CEO Tony Mestrov advised him he was assured Flanagan might deal with the 2 roles.
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Journalist Michael Carayannis agreed Flanagan had Manly’s help given how open he’d been about his aspirations to return to the highest teaching ranks.
“We’ve seen it with Cameron Ciraldo, Craig Fitzgibbon do it when they were appointed coach and fulfilled their obligations at their current club,” he stated on NRL 360.
“They know Shane Flanagan will be out and doing work for the Dragons. I don’t think they’ve got an issue with it.
“They knew what they were getting themselves in to.
“He’s been open and honest with them his ambition is to be a head coach again. I think he’ll see out that year at Manly.
“(Coach) Anthony Seibold, Tony Mestrov want him there and it’s my understanding Shane Flanagan wants to be there.”
Hooper stated he believes Flanagan is the “right person” to take the reins on the Dragons.
“I think the way they’ve handled it has been a calamity from start to finish,” he stated.
“They’ve been hit in the bum with a rainbow that they’ve missed Ryles and now ended up with Flanagan as coach.”
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Carayannis stated the very fact Ryles “bailed on them last minute” might find yourself being a optimistic for the membership.
“They need a top-down rebuild,” he stated.
“Shane Flanagan can wear a lot on his shoulders, he’ll take pressure off the entire organisation. He’s been there before, done it before. He knows what it’s like to build a club.
“His two greatest strengths are recruitment and pathways – that’s what he did so well at Cronulla.
“That’s what’s been lacking at the Dragons – their recruiting has been abysmal.”
Flanagan has pledged to see out his contract at Manly earlier than taking up for the 2024 season on the Dragons.
“While the Sea Eagles will continue to have my full focus for the rest of this season, I also can’t wait to get started back at the Dragons at the end of this season and work on returning the club to the finals where it belongs,” he stated.
Current interim coach Ryan Carr will stay in his function for the remainder of this 12 months.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au