Hasler set for legal showdown with Sea Eagles over sacking as Pride jersey saga takes twist

Des Hasler, a Premiership-winning coach, has taken his former club Manly to court, claiming compensation after his contract was terminated with a year remaining.

Hasler was fired by the Sea Eagles in October and quickly announced his intention to sue. Civil proceedings will begin on October 20, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Manly has refused to back down, with a club representative telling The Daily Telegraph that the club is “prepared to defend the claim in court.”

During his tenure as manager, Hasler chastised the team for its handling of the Pride jersey disaster last season.

Josh Schuster, Josh Aloiai, Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu, Jason Saab, Toafofoa Sipley, and Christian Tuipulotu all refused to play in Manly’s Round 18 match against the Roosters due to religious views.

Hasler says club’s decision to wear the jerseys and failure to inform the players was “poor management”

“We are here to apologise for a significant mistake made by the Manly Sea Eagles football club,” Hasler said at the time.

“We wish to apologise to the LGBTQ community who embrace the rainbow colours, to use these colours for pride, advocacy and human rights issues which have played an integral role in the inclusion and diversity of all minority groups.”

After a unanimous decision by the Sea Eagles board, Hasler was let go a few months later, and the club hired Anthony Seibold to replace him.

The 62-year-old has since signed a three-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans, beginning in 2024.

This is not Hasler’s first time suing a previous club. He took the Bulldogs to court in 2017 after being fired with two years left on his contract.

The case would be resolved outside of court.