Des Hasler settles legal dispute with Manly Sea Eagles

Manly Sea Eagles and former coach Des Hasler have avoided a bitter courtroom showdown by agreeing to settle a knotty contract dispute at the 11th hour.

A premiership-winning rugby league coach has taken the club to court in the NSW Supreme Court over its decision to terminate his contract early.

On Friday, a two-day hearing scheduled for next Monday was canceled and the case was dismissed by Judge Kelly Reece.

According to court sources, the parties have signed a settlement agreement and will independently pay the legal costs that have accumulated to date.

The club initially offered Hasler $565,000 in compensation after parting on difficult terms, but he demanded double that amount.

The rift between the coach and his then club followed a high-profile dispute during the 2022 season when seven players refused to wear Manly’s LGBTIQ jersey on religious grounds.

Hasler criticized the club’s handling of the saga, saying the players should have been involved in the shirt discussion.

Following the controversy, the team lost seven games in a row, ruining a promising season and the club’s hopes of reaching the finals.

Hasler’s position has come under scrutiny despite the 63-year-old still having a year left on his contract.

Leaving the season early meant he failed to fulfill a clause in his contract that would have resulted in an automatic extension, and the club sacked him.

Hasler has been appointed head coach of the Gold Coast Titans on a three-year deal ahead of the 2024 season.