Axed Manly coach Seibold scooped up by PNG Chiefs
Sebastian Tan |
Sacked Manly mentor Anthony Seibold has been given an NRL coaching lifeline with the PNG Chiefs signing the former Dally M Coach of the Year to their roster.
Ahead of the Chiefs’ inaugural season in 2028, the club announced that Seibold would become one of the assistant coaches under the guise of head coach Willie Peters.
It comes after the 51-year-old was dumped by the Sea Eagles after just three games into the 2026 season following a series of losses and replaced with Manly legend Kieran Foran.
He’s since taken up a part-time consultancy role with AFL giants Collingwood.
The appointment also reunites Peters and Seibold, who worked together at South Sydney, where the ex-Manly mentor was the head coach during the 2018 campaign before signing a lucrative five-year coaching contract with Brisbane.
Seibold’s tenure with the Broncos was far from sparkling as he left the club after just under two seasons following poor results and heavy media scrutiny.
“The Chiefs are building something special with strong values and great people, and I’m excited to play my part in helping them succeed,” Seibold said in a statement.
“The chance to make a positive impact on players, staff and the wider community was a big reason I wanted to join the Chiefs.
“Success on the field is important, but building something that inspires people across Papua New Guinea is just as meaningful.”
Seibold has coached 142 NRL games across his three clubs, and is the second assistant coach to be named by PNG after Parramatta legend Luke Burt.
Journalist turned Chiefs’ football manager Michael Chammas said Seibold’s experience in numerous roles across rugby league would be of great benefit.
“It will also complement the attributes that Luke brings as an assistant coach, and we believe they will work extremely well together alongside the rest of our football staff,” Chammas said.
On Sunday the Chiefs announced that rugby union convert Zac Lomax would be part of their maiden roster joining Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston and Connor Watson on a star-studded squad for 2028.
Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster has also been granted permission to negotiate with the club.
AAP