Michael Maguire has the inside running to replace Trent Barrett as head coach of the Sea Eagles

[josie andrews]

A HOST of names have been bandied about since news broke that Trent Barrett was leaving the Sea Eagles at season’s end, including club champions Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey.

But Michael Maguire has been revealed as the frontrunner for Manly’s head coaching role.

Fox League’s chief NRL reporter James Hooper says it’s all but guaranteed that the New Zealand Kiwis coach will return to clubland with the Sea Eagles.

There is no denying Maguire’s credentials.

He led Wigan to their first Super League title in 12 years in his first season in charge in 2010.

”Madge” then steered the Rabbitohs to a preliminary final in his first year at Redfern in 2012, after the Bunnies had missed the finals the previous four seasons.

Of course, under his guidance South Sydney also broke their premiership drought two years later.

It will be a blow to Toovey, who indicated on Fox Sports’ Controversy Corner on Mondaythat he would be sending in his CV for the post.

The 286-game Manly and Northern Eagles great had a strong record with the clipboard too, guiding the team to the top four in three of his four seasons in charge.

Hasler was another candidate with strong claims, having delivered two premierships to the club during his eight seasons at the helm,

The “Mad Scientist” also took the Bulldogs to two grand finals.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 674ebe5389