NRL: Axe looms over Toovey

Coach Geoff Toovey arrives at a Manly Sea Eagles NRL training session. Photo / Getty Images.

Manly are expected to officially announce the sacking of head coach Geoff Toovey after they face the Warriors at Mt Smart this weekend.

Months of speculation could finally come to an end as Manly are set to hold a press conference on his future early next week.

Toovey will see out the rest of this season while Penrith Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett is heavily linked to replace him for 2016.

Manly's directors claimed a four-hour board meeting held last night was not discussing Toovey's position.

They look certain to miss out on the finals for the first time since 2004 and they're down in 13th on the NRL ladder.

Channel 9 reported that the Sea Eagles are planning to release 14 players ahead of next season as well as firing Toovey - who's been head coach since 2012 - with a year remaining on his current contract.

One of those players on the list is hooker Matt Ballin. His tweet yesterday adds further intirgue to this saga which erupted during the week.

Thanks all the @SeaEagles supporters for your kind words and support over the past few days. Nothing has changed for me. I love the Eagles

— Matt Ballin (@mattballin9) July 22, 2015

Manly's board claim they've told Toovey "several times" he will not be head coach next year and they're unhappy with his public denial.

It's thought he will be formally offered a role at the club and a financial settlement will be agreed with chairman Scott Penn.

Toovey played more than 200 games for Manly in his career and one source close to the club said: "We wanted to be respectful and give Geoff every chance to prove himself.

"Other clubs have moved their coaches on a lot earlier in the season. But the results just haven't happened. The reality is he won't be coaching at Manly in 2016. We are now working through the process to crystallise a settlement.

"We want Geoff to be part of the club. He is a life member and has been with the club for a long time. But it's a bit too raw at the moment to determine whether he will want to stay."