NRL premiers Manly have sacked coach Des Hasler and appointed Geoff Toovey to the role.
Manly chairman Scott Penn announced on Friday the club had cut ties with two-time premiership mentor Hasler, who is now expected to join rivals Canterbury from next season, a year ahead of schedule.
The boardmet Hasler's longtime assistant Toovey on Friday morning and told him he was taking over immediately.
The board and Toovey then jointly addressed the players before Toovey spoke to them again on his own.
Hasler guided the Sea Eagles to the NRL title in 2007 and 2011 but announced last month he had signed a four-year deal to coach the Bulldogs from 2013 after his contract with Manly expired.
The board initially determined Hasler should see out his final year at the club but stood him down on Wednesday night and ordered him to explain alleged breaches of contract.
Those claims reportedly include alleged attempts to lure players and staff to the Bulldogs.
Several members of Hasler's backroom staff have announced they are off to the Bulldogs, including recruitment guru Noel Cleal and assistant coach Kelly Egan.
