Trent Barrett wants to remain an NRL coach but it appears increasingly unlikely that will be at Manly after he couldn't comment on whether he was negotiating a release.
Answers were expected when Barrett fronted the media for the first time on Thursday morning since reports emerged he was set to walk over a lack of resources, but he could only apologise repeatedly as he said he couldn't speak openly.
"For legal reasons I can't answer those sort of questions today. I would certainly like to be able to," he said.
When quizzed on whether those legal reasons were ongoing negotiations between he and Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman for a release, Barrett again couldn't answer but offered no denial.
"You'd have to ask Lyall, he's probably the one to answer those questions for you," Barrett said.
"I have been told by the club that with the legalities around it all I won't be commenting on that today."
Asked whether he'd be at the club next year Barrett, who has two years left on his contract, was again vague and hoped the situation would be clarified on Thursday afternoon.
It wasn't.
Barrett said he understood the frustration of fans ahead of their final home game of the season against the Gold Coast on Friday night.
"You'd have to ask Lyall and the club (why nothing can be confirmed)," he said.
"I apologise. It's out of my hands to be honest. I understand the club has a lot of loose ends to tie up and a lot of people to look after.
"I'll be able to talk when we sit down and we can agree on a few things."
Manly owner Scott Penn is currently overseas, while Gorman has been left to deal with the matter which is believed to revolve around a clause in Barrett's 2017 contract extension about football department support.
Manly are yet to land a recruitment manager, while they are also operating without a pathways coach.
"I've loved every minute of the coaching and every minute of when we are doing what we're paid to do - and that's to coach," Barrett said.
"I enjoy this job and I want to do it for a long time."
Barrett says he'd not spoken to any rival clubs about next year, and if he does walk Manly's options are unclear.
Michael Maguire is reportedly in talks with Brisbane to replace Wayne Bennett, while Geoff Toovey and Des Hasler both endured unhappy exits under the current owners.
Neil Henry or assistant John Cartwright could also be options, while highly-regarded Melbourne assistant Adam O'Brien is also believed to be headed to Sydney.
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