'Speak on behalf of everyone': Tom Trbojevic urges Manly officials to appoint Kieran Foran as full-time coach
Updated . First published at
Tom Trbojevic has thrown his support behind interim coach Kieran Foran to stay in charge of the Sea Eagles beyond the 2026 season.
After parting ways with Anthony Seibold after just three games, Manly officials have been waiting patiently before rushing into a full-time replacement.
Foran was named in the caretaker role and has dramatically turned the side around, taking them from the bottom of the NRL ladder and into the top-four.
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Manly players celebrate a try together. Getty
Manly lost three-straight games under their former coach's guidance, but Foran has managed to lead them to six wins, with the only loss coming against Penrith.
Trbojevic could not hide his joy to see the team regain confidence over the last two months, crediting their new leader for making that possible.
"Kieran has always had a great temperament when he's talked," Trbojevic told SEN 1170.
"He just instils belief in the playing group and we all have so much respect for him.
"We want to perform for him. It was a big job for Kieran to step into and the boys have responded to it ... he believes in everyone.
"If you can't get up for Kieran Foran, just hand the jersey back."
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As for whether he wants to see Foran in the role long-term, Trbojevic made his feelings clear and the comments will no doubt place pressure on club bosses to get a deal done.
"I'd love him to be the head coach," the injured fullback said.
"I speak on behalf of everyone at the club that we'd love to have him there.
Kieran Foran. Getty
"He just drives high standards and he'll let you know if you aren't doing well enough.
"You can often make it more technical and harder than it needs to be but Kieran makes it very simple when he breaks it down.
"I don't know what process it has to go to but I'm sure Kingy (CEO Jason King) is having conversations with the right people and it will get done."
Trbojevic and Foran were teammates during the latter stages of the Kiwi legend's career, taking the Sea Eagles to a preliminary final appearance in 2021.
Manly will host the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday evening.
