Barrett silent as Manly rift widens
THE high-profile manager of Manly coach Trent Barrett sent a litany of grievances about the club to Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn – who immediately rejected each and every one of them.
It is understood Barrett’s manager Wayne Beavis emailed Penn a long list of complaints about how the club had allegedly failed to support his client.
It was the tally of criticisms that kick-started Barrett’s ultimate exit – and legal discussions between both parties.
The email has been revealed after an agitated Barrett yesterday expressed “disappointment” after Penn spoke out publicly about the latest drama to engulf the club.
An outspoken Penn stressed Barrett’s decision to quit Manly “wasn’t in the spirit of the club”. Penn also claimed to be “deeply unhappy”.
Manly felt Barrett quit in mid-July after being offered a coaching position at Penrith.
Panthers general manager of football Phil Gould emphatically denied the claim yesterday, declaring: “Never, ever spoke to Trent about the Panthers, let alone offer him a job”.
Well-connected sources spoke of the email where Beavis pointed out where alleged promises to Barrett by Manly had been broken.
Beavis felt the list was accurate and factual, Penn disagreed.
“Barrett’s manager told Manly in mid-July the coach wasn’t happy and here was a list of issues,” the source said. “I know the Penns rejected them, went back again, and refuted them again.
“They thought the list was bulls**t. The club has had injuries, Gladstone, salary cap, issue after issue but it (Barrett’s resignation) was still totally out of left field. The Penns were stunned.”
It would appear the rift between Penn and Barrett is widening with reports they haven’t spoken for some time now.
Barrett looked visibly upset yesterday as the Sea Eagles prepared for tonight’s match against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.
“I’m a little bit disappointed,” he said.
“I sat here last week and said I wasn’t going to comment on things that were going on. I want to honour what I said that we wouldn’t make public comment on it until the end of the season.
“Anything I say will be pretty controversial today so I’m not going to fall into that. I will make a statement in due course.”