Scott Penn has again moved to squash speculation about instability at Manly, telling Nine News that Anthony Seibold is the Sea Eagles long-term coach.
"Yes, the next two-years he is contracted, but we see him as a long-term coach," said Penn, shutting down rumours of a looming club overhaul.
Earlier this year, reports suggested that a succession plan was in the works, which would've landed Seibold in the head of football role - a talking point that Penn also quickly dismissed.
"Speculation about him going into the head of football - that’s not happening," he said.
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The chairman has been consistent in his message that Seibold is safe, not just through 2027, but potentially beyond.
Yet the gamble is obvious. Seibold's tenure has been marked by inconsistency, his sub-50 per cent win record have left many Sea Eagles fans unconvinced that he's the right man for the job. Penn insists that the criticism is overblown.
"I disagree, it’s never as bad as it’s always reported and we don’t always have to agree," he said.
"At the end of the day, everyone’s here to win premierships."
Penn's optimism faces a stern test considering the calamitous series of events that have unfolded on the Northern Beaches in 2025.
Daly Cherry-Evans' exit leaves a leadership vacuum, which Manly are trying to reinforce with the signing of Jamal Fogarty. A 352-game void is a huge burden for the Raiders' halfback to carry into next season on his own.
Then there's the Tom Trbojevic question - where reports of a Super League switch from 2027 have begun to cause alarm amongst the fanbase.
"I don’t want him to leave," Penn told Nine News.
"I’m sure he’s on the list of R360 and a bunch of other people.
"We’ve tabled a three-year offer. We’re hopeful of locking him in for 2027 and beyond."
Penn stressed that in order to secure their superstar fullback's signature, the club must prove that they have a winning formula capable of doing damage in September next season.
"I think what we need to do is make sure we demonstrate that we’re going to be successful in 2026 and then he won’t want to leave," he said.
This is where Penn's business logic collides with the reality of Manly's current predicament. The Sea Eagles have long valued people that have a prior connection to the club.
Seibold, with no deep Manly ties, was always an outsider. His tenure so far has felt like a tug-of-war between his football systems and the deeply parochial sentiment of the Manly club.
Backing him again is a statement against the team's insularity, but it also risks prolonging a cycle of mediocrity if results don't turn around quickly.
The problem is that patience has its limits. The restless supporter base will not tolerate another year of false starts and wasted talent.
For now, Penn has nailed his colours to the mast: Seibold stays, Trbojevic stays, and he himself stays as Manly look to course correct moving forward.