NRL: Toovey plays down fears of Manly talent exodus

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler moves to the Bulldogs in 2013. Photo / Getty Images

Manly's coach-in-waiting Geoff Toovey says he's confident players will want to stay at the NRL club despite Des Hasler's move to the Bulldogs in 2013.

The Manly board met on Monday night and gave Toovey a two-year deal to take over as head coach in 2013 following an increased role as Hasler's assistant next season.

Despite five of this year's premiership-winning team having get-out clauses in their contracts allowing them to leave when Hasler departs, Toovey played down fears of a talent exodus at the end of the 2012 season.

"I'm sure it will be a smooth transition from Des to myself, the environment is great at Manly and I'm sure players will want to stay there," Toovey told Triple M's The Grill Team.

He and Hasler had spoken at length about the new coaching arrangements.

"Des has been fully supportive of it since day one, it's always been the planned transition ... it's just come a bit earlier than expected," he added.

Toovey, who captained the Sea Eagles to the 1996 premiership and two other grand final appearances, said he was excited about coaching the club he played 238 matches for.

"I'm very excited, I'm a local bloke," he said.

"Making first grade in itself was a wonderful achievement and what we all aspire to as local juniors, now to transfer into that coaching role is the next level and hopefully I can be as successful as Des was."

Toovey was non-committal on speculation that former Manly teammates Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies would form part of his coaching staff.

"It's too early, everyone's got Chinese whispers out there everywhere. I've got a year to transition into the role. We'll be putting those things in place over the next six to 12 months."

Toovey has received player support with star five eighth Kieran Foran saying he's the best man for the job of replacing Hasler.

"He's been there since 2004 under Des, he's learnt the ropes," Foran said.

"He's an ex-player at the club, he's won comps for the club. He is a very passionate guy and knows what it is about."

- AAP