Only a change of club ownership will open the door for the return of Des Hasler to Manly.
The two-time grand final-winning coach is being linked to a Brookvale comeback following Trent Barrett’s resignation, but that won’t happen as long as the Penn family maintain control of the club.
Time has not healed the Penns’ wounds over Hasler’s acrimonious departure to the Bulldogs in the days following Manly’s 2011 title win.
The matter almost ended up in court after chairman Scott Penn sacked Hasler for ‘serious contract breaches’.
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“If he wants to bring it on in court, let's go,'' Penn said at the time.
The Penns accused Hasler of coercing staff to leave Manly for Canterbury, declaring he had ‘a blatant disregard for his contract’.
Hasler countered: ''The allegations made against me are without any foundation whatsoever.''
Fast forward seven years and the Penns are still in charge at Manly while Hasler has been out of work for nearly 12 months after his stint at Canterbury also ended in bitter circumstances.
There has been a general feeling in NRL circles that Hasler’s use-by date has been reached and his high maintenance ways no longer justify on-field results.
But Barrett’s abrupt departure threatened to dramatically change the landscape.
Manly are now on the lookout for a new coach and Hasler’s name has been thrown up as a prime candidate.
The thinking is sound.
Hasler was part of the Manly fabric for more than 20 years, as player, conditioner and coach.
He is infused with the much talked about Sea Eagles DNA, which really means he understands and can manage all the politics that go hand-in-hand with coaching the maroon and whites.
And he has won competitions using the same facilities and resources Barrett cites as one of the reasons he wants out, although it’s fair to point out Hasler’s playing roster was far superior.
Dessie is keen to return to coaching but it won’t be at Manly.
Not while Rick, Heather and Scott Penn have their hands on the lever.