The implosion at NRL club Manly appears to be complete, with coach Des Hasler sacked on Thursday.
Hasler was given his marching orders, just a few months after the coach had been critical of the club's handling of its 'Everyone in League' jersey initiative, which saw seven players withdraw from selection.
The Sea Eagles' season deteriorated thereafter, the team missing the top eight and a chance to play finals football. Hasler's relationship with club owner Scott Penn was also said to have completely fallen apart.
Hasler was believed to have had a clause in his contract that stipulated if Manly finished inside the top six he would automatically receive a one-year extension for 2024.
But the coach will now depart the club, for a second time, ahead of next season.
Former Souths and Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has been touted as Hasler's replacement. Seibold has been working as defence coach with England's rugby union team under the tutelage of Australian Eddie Jones.
Hasler had been in his second stint at Manly, having previously enjoyed a storied playing career with the club on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
He coached the Sea Eagles to Grand Final wins in 2008 and 2011, departing the club for Canterbury-Bankstown after his second Premiership.
But he then returned to Manly in 2019, Hasler's best result being a Preliminary Final appearance in 2019 that was driven by star fullback Tom Trbojevic's sensational run of form that would later win him the Dally M Medal.