Manly tight-lipped on Barrett's future

Manly say they are addressing matters relating to coach Trent Barrett's future at the club, but have avoided confirming whether he'd remain there next year.

A file image of Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett

Manly have refused to confirm reports Trent Barrett will leave the club at the end of the season. (AAP)

Manly have left coach Trent Barrett to do the talking after refusing to confirm whether he would remain at the NRL club next season.

After reports broke on Tuesday night suggesting Barrett was ready to walk from the Sea Eagles at the end of the year citing a lack of resources, Manly released only a brief statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"The club is addressing the matters which have been the subject of recent public speculation in relation to its head coach, Trent Barrett, and does not intend to make any further statement at this time," it read.

"The club's focus remains on ensuring the best possible finish to the 2018 NRL season on behalf of its playing group, members, fans, corporate partners, owners and its community at large.

"A full statement will be made at the appropriate time."

It means Barrett is set to bear the full brunt of questions over his future on Thursday morning when he faces the media before Friday's final home game against the Gold Coast.

It's not the first time this year Barrett - who is contracted until the end of 2020 - has been forced to face the music amid off-field dramas during a difficult three years in charge, often for reasons out of his control.

The 12th-placed Sea Eagles' have endured a horror season, including the fall-out of their ill-fated Gladstone trip and preliminary punishments for salary cap breaches.

They are set to learn in the next month whether they are able to appeal the $330,000 stricken off both this year and next year's caps, as a result of breaches dating back five years.

Barrett's concerns are believed to relate largely to the lack of support given to the football department.

While a new football manager was employed last month, the club are still searching for a new recruitment manager, assistant accountant, pathways coach and potentially a new director of football position among other roles.

Chairman and owner Scott Penn is currently overseas, and the matter has largely been left to chief executive Lyall Gorman who failed to respond when contacted by AAP on Wednesday.

If he does walk, Michael Maguire and Neil Henry have already been linked to the job while former Manly mentors Des Hasler or Geoff Toovey could also possibly return.

Former Titans coach John Cartwright, currently an assistant to Barrett, could also shape as another option.

Meanwhile Penrith supremo Phil Gould confirmed on Wednesday Barrett was not part of his club's plans moving forward as they search for a replacement for Anthony Griffin.


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Source: AAP



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