Anthony Seibold has urged Manly fans not to boo Des Hasler as the veteran coach prepares to return to Brookvale for the first time since his dramatic exit.
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Hasler remains in a bitter legal feud with Sea Eagles management, with mediation having failed between the two parties over a payout for his 2022 axing.
The case between the two parties remains before the courts, with a two-day hearing scheduled for November and Hasler pursuing close to $1 million from the NRL club.
But both Manly and he will meet on the field at Brookvale this weekend, as Hasler's Gold Coast pursue a fourth straight win to keep their finals hopes alive.
Sunday is not the first time Hasler has returned to his old fortress with a new club.
He was booed by fans in 2012 and was the subject of banners on the hill, after walking out on Manly for Canterbury in the week after the 2011 grand final win.
This Sunday shapes as somewhat different, given it was not Hasler's choice to leave Manly at the end of 2022, after the club lost nine straight games amid the Pride Jersey saga.
Regardless, Hasler's successor Anthony Seibold has pleaded with Manly fans to treat the former coach with respect.
"Des is a legend of the club," Seibold said.
"How many people win multiple premierships as a player and multiple as a coach? He is a legend of our club.
"In my eyes he is one of the really elite coaches in our game. You could argue he is in the top five or six coaches rugby league has ever had.
"I have utmost respect for him. And I am sure the supporters will recognise what he has done for our club. He has done a great job with a lot of the (current) guys."
Hasler has been directly involved in half of Manly's eight premierships, as a player in 1987 and 1996 before leading them to titles as coach in 2008 and 2011.
Perhaps sensing the build-up to Sunday's match, Hasler ended his post-match press conference abruptly after two-and-a-half minutes following Gold Coast's win over Parramatta on Saturday night.
Up to 10 players in Manly's team next week will have played under Hasler, with the former coach having handed several of them debuts.
Manly did beat the Titans in their other meeting on the Gold Coast this year, despite former Sea Eagle Kieran Foran turning back the clock in the 34-30 shootout.
"Des will be Des," Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic said.
"He obviously wants to win every game. But we know what we need to do to put ourselves in the best preparation to win a game."
Australian Associated Press
