Former Kiwi Kieran Foran has been appointed as interim head coach of the NRL’s Manly Sea Eagles for the rest of the 2026 season.
The Sea Eagles sacked Anthony Seibold on Friday after a poor start to the season, conceding 98 points and losing all three games played.
News of his departure came less than 24 hours after a 33-16 loss to a Sydney Roosters side featuring former club great Daly Cherry-Evans.
Foran, who played 34 test matches for New Zealand, had joined the Sea Eagles as an assistant coach this season after playing 196 games for the club over two stints.
“I love this club and I want to do everything in my power to continue the success we have had over many decades,” Foran said.
Foran doubles the number of New Zealanders leading NRL teams, with Benji Marshall being the only other as coach of Wests Tigers.
Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn was delighted Foran decided to take the role on.
“Kieran has given so much to this club over many years and the fact he has only recently finished his playing career is an advantage, he understands the current pace of the game and what we need to do to compete,” Penn said.
“He is Manly through and through and we know that he will pour all his energy into this new role.”
Club CEO Jason King said the former New Zealand international has adapted well since returning to the Sea Eagles and felt he would make a success of the job.
Foran scored 44 points in tests for the Kiwis and spent time at the Warriors, Eels, Bulldogs and Titans outside of Manly, which he won the NRL premiership with in 2011.
