Manly coach Des Hasler is reportedly in a stand-off with the club over a contract extension and the Sea Eagles' 46-4 obliteration at the hands of the Roosters on Saturday clearly did not help his cause.
News Corp has reported that Hasler is yet to sign a multimillion-dollar contract extension because icy negotiations over rigid performance clauses are ongoing.
Hasler's manager, George Mimis, and Manly chief executive Stephen Humphries are engaged in war over both the length of contract and termination options.
Hasler wants a three-year deal, and although Manly accept that, they are insisting on performance clauses that would allow the deal to be terminated at any time.
Among the deals being discussed is a rolling year-by-year contract, which Nathan Brown had at the Newcastle Knights before getting axed, receiving six months' pay and departing for the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the 2020 season.
Humphreys was defensive when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.
"Des is in the final year of a three-year contract," Humphreys said.
"We've been discussing the situation beyond this year for a little while now, but at this stage it is unresolved.
"I have no other comment to make."
Fresh hope surrounded Manly as one of the most iconic trios of modern rugby league – Hasler, Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran – reunited for the club's season-opener at the SCG.
But a ruthless Roosters outfit mauled the Sea Eagles as James Tedesco and Brett Morris bagged a hat-trick each.
The 42-point victory even marked the Roosters' biggest-ever opening round win in the club's rich 113-year history.
Compounding Manly's issues are the fact superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic is unlikely to be fit for selection until Round Four, after the NSW State of Origin gun suffered another hamstring injury late in February.
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