Sea Eagles Chairman Backs Foran for Dynasty, Eyeing Premierships and Long-Term Coaching Tenure
Manly Sea Eagles owner and chairman Scott Penn has thrown his full support behind Kieran Foran, expressing a strong conviction that the former premiership winner can lead the club to a title as early as this year. More ambitiously, Penn envisions Foran at the helm for the next two decades, aiming to build a lasting legacy at the club.
Penn highlighted Foran’s history with the Sea Eagles, noting his crucial role in their 2011 premiership victory. He also pointed to the club’s eight premierships, all secured under “Manly men as coaches,” subtly reinforcing his belief in Foran’s suitability. This commitment comes after the club parted ways with former coach Anthony Seibold following a string of three consecutive losses, a decision made in an effort to salvage the current season.
The club officially announced Foran’s signing until the end of 2029, a move that has clearly delighted Penn.
“We’re excited to have Kieran in the fold long term,” Penn stated. “He definitely wants to win premierships – Kieran is determined to win one this year. When Kieran was appointed caretaker-coach, he told us he would keep things simple, he would go back to the basics and give the players belief, and [said], ‘We want to win the comp this year’. There’s no reason we can’t win it this year. That’s all you can ask for from a coach.”
The chairman’s vision extends far beyond a single season. “We want Kieran at the helm for a very long term,” Penn emphasised. “We see this as a dynasty we’re building, and there’s no reason Kieran can’t be at the helm the next 20 years. I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I want to do it another 20 years, and I’d be delighted if Kieran and [CEO] Jason King are with me the whole time. They’re quality people who really care.”
Penn elaborated on the qualities Foran brings to the coaching role. “What Kieran brings to the table after 318 games as a player is he’s a steward of the game,” he explained. “He’s never taken a backward step, he never had a bad game, and overcame some pretty big injuries. You have a quality person who understands what it takes to be an NRL player, and understands what it takes to win.”
The transition to head coach was perhaps sooner than anticipated, but Penn defended the club’s decision to make a change earlier in the season. “His head coaching journey has come earlier than anyone anticipated, but nine weeks ago, when we made the call we did [to part ways with Seibold], we did it for the betterment of the team and the club in terms of making sure we still had a shot at the 2026 season.”
The impact of Foran’s interim tenure has been undeniable, with the team’s performance seeing a dramatic upturn. “Look at what Kieran has achieved,” Penn enthused. “We’ve won seven from nine. We were there competing with Penrith, and while we probably didn’t play as well as we could have against Cronulla last Friday night, we could have won that as well. We could be sitting here nine from nine, which is a phenomenal turnaround.”
Observing Foran’s interactions with the playing group firsthand, particularly in the locker rooms at Cronulla, further solidified Penn’s belief in his coaching capabilities. Penn is set to depart for New York following the Sea Eagles’ upcoming match against South Sydney, feeling confident about the club’s future with Foran secured long-term.
Foran’s appointment is also expected to have a positive influence on the club’s recruitment strategies, particularly in retaining star fullback Tom Trbojevic, whose contract is up at the end of next year. Trbojevic, currently recovering from a hamstring injury, is slated to return in round 16.
“We’ve been in discussions for some time with Tom, and Tom is here with us as long as he wants to be,” Penn confirmed. “We only ever want to see him in maroon and white.”
Trbojevic himself expressed his enthusiasm for Foran’s permanent role. “I’ve absolutely loved working under Foz the past couple of months, and I want to keep building that, so it definitely helps [with me wanting to stay],” he told the media. “He took a risk stepping into that interim role straight after finishing up as a player. But he’s turned our season around, and I’m so happy he’s got the gig.”
The positive ripple effect of Foran’s leadership is already evident, with Jake Trbojevic also re-committing to the club until 2027 shortly after Foran’s interim appointment.
Boosted Squad and Team Belief Under Foran
The Sea Eagles are in a strong position heading into their home clash against South Sydney, with a victory potentially propelling them back into third place on the ladder. The team will be bolstered by the return of several key players. Haumole Olakau’atu, who was rested after State of Origin I and has shown significant improvement under Foran’s guidance, is back. Additionally, Tolu Koula has been cleared by an independent doctor to return from a concussion sustained during the Origin series.
Reflecting on his permanent appointment, Foran conveyed his deep commitment to the club. “I care deeply about this club, and I want what’s best for everyone involved in it,” he stated. “I will do everything within my power to make sure it’s a success. It’s been wonderful working with this group of players over the past few months and helping them to build belief is something I have really enjoyed. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by some incredible staff, and they have played a significant part in the success that we’ve had so far.”
