LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
A surprising candidate has emerged as a potential successor to Manly Sea Eagles head coach Anthony Seibold, who is poised to transition into a new front office role in the near future.
Despite receiving support from CEO Tony Mestrov and Chairman Scott Penn, rumors have circulated over the past six months indicating that players may be pushing Seibold out of the organization, suggesting that a change in his position could occur sooner than expected.
Previously, assistant coach Michael Ennis was considered a likely long-term successor but left for the St George Illawarra Dragons instead.
With former Newcastle Knights head coach Adam O'Brien joining Manly's coaching staff as an assistant next season, Hull Kingston Rovers coach Willie Peters has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Seibold, as reported by News Corp.
The publication notes that Peters is also being considered as a possible replacement for Wayne Bennett at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, a club where he played from 1997 to 1998.
RELATED: "Extreme paranoia": Manly fear Seibold is being pushed out by players
This development comes alongside statements from Paul Lakin, the current CEO at Hull KR, who expressed confidence that Peters would fulfill his contract, which runs until the end of the 2028 season.