Kieran Foran’s Vision for Manly’s Future
Kieran Foran, the newly appointed full-time head coach of the Manly Sea Eagles, is confident that the team can win the NRL premiership in 2026. His belief in the club’s potential has led him to seek guidance from Des Hasler, the last coach to lead Manly to a premiership title.
Foran was officially named as the head coach through 2029 after taking charge as an interim coach and leading the Sea Eagles to a remarkable turnaround. Since replacing Anthony Seibold following a winless start to the season, Manly has secured seven wins out of nine games. This rapid improvement has been nothing short of impressive, especially considering Foran had only recently retired from playing at the end of November and was initially seen as an unlikely candidate for the role.
Despite his young age, Foran has shown no signs of being overwhelmed by the challenges of coaching. At just 35 years old, he has already made a significant impact on the team. Wayne Bennett, his counterpart for Thursday’s match against South Sydney, had already coached three seasons in the premiership before Foran was even born. However, Foran remains focused on the task at hand.
“I’ve just continued to take challenges head-on in my life. This one’s been no different,” he said.
Several players have stepped up their game under Foran’s leadership. Tolu Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu, Clayton Faulalo, and Ben Trbojevic are among those who have reached career-best form. Taniela Paseka has also made a strong return from his Achilles injury, while Luke Brooks has impressed despite previous criticism. Young talent Joey Walsh has also earned valuable minutes in the starting halves.
Six of Foran’s nine games have been played without club captain Tom Trbojevic, who is expected to return from his hamstring injury after the round-15 bye. This has allowed other players to shine and has contributed to the team’s overall performance.
Foran is optimistic about the team’s prospects for the remainder of the season. The fifth-placed Sea Eagles are showing signs of being a serious contender for the premiership.
“I’ve been really impressed with how we’ve turned the season around and the style of footy in which we’re playing. We’ve had to do that overcoming a few challenges,” he said.
“They’re starting to really believe in what they’re capable of. That’s been the part that’s stood out for me.
“I’ve got no doubt in my mind that if we can keep striving to be better, each and every day and we can be fit and healthy, then why can’t we be there at the end of the year?”
Foran plans to seek advice from Des Hasler, a long-time friend and mentor. Hasler, who coached Foran during his early days in the NRL, played him at five-eighth in the Sea Eagles’ 2011 premiership triumph. Foran went on to play nearly half of his 318 NRL games under Hasler across two stints at Manly and his final chapter at Gold Coast.
“He’s certainly someone that I’ll lean on as I navigate my way through these challenges. No one understands Manly quite like Des, as well,” Foran said.
“But I won’t try and replicate any of the great coaches I’ve been under, I’ll take parts of what I really enjoyed from them and the parts that I thought were really helpful and successful, then I’ll be my own man.”
