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.
Penn emphasized that Foran’s experience as a 2011 premiership winner with the club and the fact that all eight titles won by Manly have been achieved under coaches who were part of the club’s history. This connection to the team’s legacy is something Penn sees as crucial for the future of the club.
After a series of three consecutive losses, Penn decided to part ways with Anthony Seibold in hopes of revitalizing the season. The decision proved to be a wise one, as Foran officially signed with the club until the end of 2029, bringing a sense of stability and optimism to the team.
“We’re excited to have Kieran in the fold long term,” Penn said. “He definitely wants to win premierships – Kieran is determined to win one this year.”
Foran’s approach as a caretaker-coach was straightforward: he promised to keep things simple, return to the basics, and give the players belief. Penn believes that there is no reason why the team cannot win the competition this year. He envisions a long-term future for Foran at the helm, seeing it as the start of a new dynasty for the club.
A Vision for the Future
Penn has been involved with the club for 20 years and expressed his desire to continue for another 20 years. He is delighted that Foran and CEO Jason King will be with him throughout this journey. Penn highlighted that both individuals are quality people who genuinely care about the club.
Foran’s experience as a player, having played 318 games, gives him a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in the NRL. His resilience through injuries and his commitment to the game make him an ideal candidate for the coaching role. Penn noted that Foran’s head coaching journey began earlier than expected, but the decision to move forward was made for the betterment of the team and the club.
Since taking over, Foran has led the team to seven wins out of nine matches. Penn pointed out that they were competing closely with Penrith and could have won against Cronulla if not for some missed opportunities. He believes that the team is on the right track and is optimistic about the future.
Building a Winning Culture
The way Foran communicates with the playing group was a key factor in Penn’s decision to appoint him as the permanent coach. Penn witnessed this firsthand during the recent match against Cronulla, which further solidified his belief in Foran’s abilities.
With the upcoming match against South Sydney, Penn is confident that the team can make a significant jump up the ladder. The return of key players like Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolu Koula will provide a boost to the team’s performance. Olakau’atu, who was rested after Origin I, has shown significant improvement since Foran took over.
Foran’s appointment has also had a positive impact on the recruitment front, particularly with Tom Trbojevic. Trbojevic, who is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury, is set to return in round 16. Penn has been in discussions with Trbojevic and is pleased with his commitment to the club.
“I’ve absolutely loved working under Foz the past couple of months, and I want to keep building that,” Trbojevic said. “It definitely helps [with me wanting to stay].”
Commitment to the Club
Jake Trbojevic, Tom’s brother, has also made a commitment to the club, re-signing for 2027. This shows the strong bond between the players and the club, which Foran has helped to foster.
Foran himself expressed his deep care for the club and his desire to ensure its success. He acknowledged the support from the staff and the players, highlighting the importance of their contributions to the team’s recent success.
“Everything within my power to make sure it’s a success,” Foran said. “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.”
Looking Ahead
As the team prepares for the upcoming match against Souths, the focus remains on building momentum and achieving success. With Foran at the helm, the Sea Eagles are looking to create a new era of dominance and continue their legacy of winning. The combination of experienced leadership, talented players, and a strong team culture sets the stage for a promising future for Manly.
