A New Era for Manly
Manly’s owner and chairman, Scott Penn, is confident that Kieran Foran has the potential to lead the club to a premiership this year and beyond. Penn has expressed his strong support for Foran, not only as a coach but also as a long-term leader for the Sea Eagles, envisioning him at the helm for the next 20 years.
Penn emphasized that Foran’s experience as a 2011 premiership winner with the club and the fact that all eight titles won by the Sea Eagles have been achieved under coaches who were part of the team adds weight to his appointment. This belief in Foran was reinforced after he officially signed with the club until the end of 2029, following the departure of Anthony Seibold after three consecutive losses.
“We’re excited to have Kieran in the fold long term. He definitely wants to win premierships – Kieran is determined to win one this year,” Penn shared. “When Kieran was appointed caretaker-coach, he told us he would keep things simple, go back to the basics, and give the players belief. He said, ‘We want to win the comp this year.’ There’s no reason we can’t win it this year. That’s all you can ask for from a coach.”
Building a Dynasty
Penn also highlighted the long-term vision for the club, stating that they are building a dynasty and seeing Foran as a key figure in its future. “We see this as a dynasty we’re building, and there’s no reason Kieran can’t be at the helm the next 20 years.”
Penn has been involved with the club for 20 years and hopes to continue for another 20, expressing his desire for Foran and CEO Jason King to remain with the club throughout. “They’re quality people who really care,” he added.
Foran’s extensive playing career, with 318 games under his belt, has given him a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the NRL. His leadership and resilience, despite overcoming significant injuries, make him a valuable asset. Penn noted that Foran brings a unique perspective as a steward of the game, having never taken a backward step during his career.
Strategic Decisions and Team Morale
The decision to part ways with Seibold came after three straight defeats, aimed at salvaging the season and ensuring a shot at the 2026 season. Penn believes that Foran’s appointment has already made a positive impact, with the team winning seven out of nine games since then.
“I’ve seen what Kieran has achieved. We’ve won seven from nine. We were there competing with Penrith, and while we probably didn’t play as well as we could have against Cronulla last Friday night, we could have won that as well. We could be sitting here nine from nine, which is a phenomenal turnaround,” Penn said.
Witnessing how Foran communicated with the playing group in the sheds at Cronulla last weekend further solidified Penn’s belief in his leadership. Penn will now return to New York after Thursday’s clash with South Sydney, confident that the club is on the right track.
Recruitment and Player Commitments
Foran’s appointment is also expected to aid Manly’s recruitment efforts, particularly when it comes to Tom Trbojevic, who is set to become a free agent at the end of next year. Trbojevic, currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury, is expected to return in round 16 against the Bulldogs.
“We’ve been in discussions for some time with Tom, and Tom is here with us as long as he wants to be,” Penn said. “We only ever want to see him in maroon and white.”
Trbojevic expressed his satisfaction with Foran’s leadership, stating, “I’ve absolutely loved working under Foz the past couple of months, and I want to keep building that, so it definitely helps [with me wanting to stay].”
Jake Trbojevic also made his commitment clear, recommitting to the club for 2027.
Preparing for Upcoming Matches
Manly has the opportunity to temporarily move back into third on the ladder if they defeat Souths at home. The team will be bolstered by the return of Haumole Olakau’atu, who was rested after Origin I, and Tolu Koula, who has been cleared by an independent doctor to return from a concussion sustained against Queensland.
Foran, reflecting on his new role, said, “I care deeply about this club, and I want what’s best for everyone involved in it. I will do everything within my power to make sure it’s a success.”
He also praised the players and staff, stating, “It’s been wonderful working with this group of players over the past few months and helping them to build belief is something I have really enjoyed. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by some incredible staff, and they have played a significant part in the success that we’ve had so far.”
