The Manly Sea Eagles are reportedly gearing up for a major coaching shake-up, with Daily Telegraph journalist, Buzz Rothfield, reporting that former Newcastle Knights head coach Adam O’Brien is set to join the club.
The move comes as Brookvale-based assistant coach Steven Hales prepares to leave Manly to join the Newcastle Knights’ coaching staff, taking up a role under the club’s new head coach Justin Holbrook, according to Zero Tackle.
Once tipped as a potential successor to take over from Des Hasler, Hales has been a central figure in Manly’s coaching staff, serving as attacking coach and previously heading the club’s NSW Cup feeder team, the Wentworth Magpies.
Reports that Adam O’Brien could be moving to the Manly peninsula follow his departure from the Knights midway through the NRL season, bringing an end to his six-year tenure at the club and marking a new chapter in his long coaching career.
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After steering the Knights through 144 first-grade games and four finals campaigns, O’Brien’s departure comes with two years still remaining on his contract, as Newcastle wrapped up the season anchored at the bottom of the ladder.
O’Brien is set to play a key supporting role under Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold, who, despite two years left on his contract, faces mounting pressure after Manly missed the top eight this season and underperformed significantly.
That said, speculation over Seibold’s long-term replacement continues, with veteran journalist Buzz Rothfield reporting that Willie Peters has emerged as a strong contender to potentially take over the role from Seibold instead of O’Brien.