Drama and the Manly Sea Eagles seemingly go hand-in-hand – and much of it can be traced back to when the Penn family secured ownership of the NRL club.
Led by Rick Penn and his son Scott, they assumed majority control – 90 per cent – in 2014 after purchasing the stake held by the Quantum Group.
They previously held a 40 per cent stake dating back to 2006 before acquiring the controlling interest to become primary owners.
Since then, four coaches — Geoff Toovey, Trent Barrett, Des Hasler, and on Friday night, Anthony Seibold — have been sacked. Hasler then returned for a second stint from 2019 to 2022.
Eight CEOs have also been shown the door, with premiership-winner Jason King the latest man in the hot seat after replacing Tony Mestrov.
On the field, results haven’t followed, with only finals appearances in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2024.
Drama and the Manly Sea Eagles seemingly go hand-in-hand – and much of it can be traced back to when the Penn family secured ownership of the NRL club (pictured, Scott Penn)
After losing three games on home soil to open the season, the Penn family ‘didn’t see progression’ which resulted in Anthony Seibold’s sacking on Friday
‘Get an owner who’s passionate enough about the club to live north of the Spit Bridge not halfway round the world in New York,’ said one on the Sports Buffet Facebook page.
‘(Scott) Penn measures success on the spreadsheet, not the football oval,’ offered another.
The club last won a premiership in 2011 – and fans on Sydney’s northern beaches are fed up with constant change.
They yearn for stability and want someone with ‘Manly DNA ‘ – which was one of the reasons Kieran Foran was appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season late on Friday night.
It followed a phone call from Penn and King to the Kiwi international, who only retired a few months ago.
Foran, 35, has impressed since he started working under Seibold in November, and Penn believes he is the man to lead the Sea Eagles forward as they chase their first win of 2026.
‘We had to make an important decision about the future of the club,’ the chairman told reporters at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
‘We didn’t want to be 0-6 in a few weeks…and we didn’t see progression (under Seibold)… we also feel Kieran is the best person to take over.
Sea Eagles fans yearn for stability and want someone with ‘Manly DNA ‘ – which was one of the reasons Kieran Foran was appointed interim head coach
Kieran Foran told reporters he ‘walks towards opportunities when they are presented’ (he is pictured, with wife Karina)
‘This decision is for the greater good of the club, we demand success. If we don’t get success, we find someone else.’
Foran is well aware he will face a baptism of fire, but outlined how he plans to quickly turn around Manly’s fortunes.
‘I believe in myself, I know my values and standards,’ he said.
‘It isn’t in my nature to say no, I walk towards opportunities when they are presented.
‘There is a team who care about the jersey and the people they represent. ‘If the club believes I am the man to take them forward, I will do it.’
Penn also confirmed he has no plans to sell the club – and predicted a rosy future in maroon and white.
‘We have a great junior nursery in place now, probably the best since the likes of Kieran (Foran) and Daly (Cherry-Evans) played in the under-20s in 2009,’ he said.
‘There is an opportunity for Kieran to do something special, and we will give him all the resources he needs to be successful.’
Following the Foran bombshell, the likes of Matt Ballin, Brad Arthur and Michael Ennis have been linked to the head coaching role from next season.
Manly – who famously have never ‘won’ a wooden spoon dating back to 1947 – are next in action on Thursday, April 2 when they take on the Dolphins.
