Controversial former South Sydney and Wests Tigers mentor Jason Taylor has reportedly pulled out of the race to replace Trent Barrett as head coach of the Manly Sea Eagles.
According to Fairfax Media reporter Christian Nicolussi, Taylor is not interested in the Manly job and plans to coach the North Sydney Bears in the Intrust Super Premiership in 2019.
The news will come as great relief for several Manly players who were alarmed by reports Taylor was in the mix, according to Sporting News Australia’s The Lurker.
Taylor’s withdrawal is another boost for assistant coach John Cartwright, who is firming as the favourite to replace Barrett.
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Former Bunnies boss Michael Maguire turned down an offer from the Sea Eagles last week.
It is understood the premiership-winning coach shared Barrett’s concerns over a lack of resources at the northern beaches club.
Barrett handed in his resignation several weeks before the end of the 2018 NRL season and is locked in a bitter dispute over his release.
The 40-year-old is expected to report to work for the start of pre-season training in November but will not coach the club in 2019.
Sea Eagles players have publicly expressed their support for former Gold Coast coach Cartwright to be promoted from assistant coach to the top job next season.
Another ex-Titans coach Neil Henry is also reportedly in the mix to replace Barrett, however it is understood skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has threatened to walk out on his lucrative contract if Henry is appointed.
