The flame still burns in Des Hasler to become an NRL coach again as Manly court the man that led them to two premierships.
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Hasler met with his manager on Monday after it emerged the 57-year-old was in the running to take over the Sea Eagles' top job from Trent Barrett.
"I haven't signed any deal," Hasler told Nine News on Monday.
"I've just arrived back from overseas and, obviously, I have a desire or would like to coach in the NRL again.
"Basically, it was just a matter of being briefed and catching up about the possibility of ... coaching at Manly again."
Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, the last surviving member of the Manly side Hasler steered to the 2011 title, welcomed his potential return.
"If I was to link up with my first-ever first-grade coach, I'd be all for it," Cherry-Evans said while in camp for Australia.
The Manly playmaker said he harboured no ill-will toward Hasler despite his acrimonious exit in 2011 after it was revealed he'd signed with Canterbury.
"I wouldn't begrudge anyone for making sure they're looking after themselves," Cherry-Evans said.
"It's a pretty cruel game we're playing. Job security is a thing that's very rare."
Hasler was responsible for rebuilding Manly following the disastrous Northern Eagles merger and transformed the club into a powerhouse.
Mere months after signing a two-year contract extension, Hasler was sacked by Canterbury in late 2017 before reaching an out-of-court settlement.
His coaching CV makes for impressive reading with two premierships, three grand finals, 12 straight finals appearances between 2005 and 2016 and a 58.2 per cent win record.
Australian Associated Press
