Anthony Seibold claims he will be a better coach for his horror final year at Brisbane, as he prepares to make his NRL return at Manly.
Seibold was finally unveiled on a new three-year deal by the Sea Eagles on Tuesday night, with the 48-year-old's exit from England Rugby now complete.
He will link up with Manly on November 28, with new assistants Shane Flanagan and Jim Dymock to lead training until then with mainstay Stephen Hales.
Seibold's return to first-grade coaching comes after one of greatest rollercoaster rides any mentor has experienced in the NRL in recent memory.
Dally M coach of the year in his rookie season at South Sydney, Seibold lasted just one-and-a-half years at Brisbane after moving north on a five-year deal.
In that time he endured a horror run through COVID during a season where Brisbane copped their first wooden spoon, as well as a raft of off-field issues and a smear campaign.
But the returning mentor has insisted it means he will now bring more experience to the Manly job, and that he is ready to jump back in the hot seat at an NRL club.
"Some of the challenges that were presented to me, I feel as if I have a vast array of experiences," Seibold said in a club video.
"I know as having coached for a long period of time, some seasons are more challenging than others.
"But I have got great experience for the position and I have great optimism for what we can do over the coming seasons."
Seibold also believed he would be a better coach for his time under Eddie Jones in England rugby, proud of his transition between codes.
"I have been a head coach for 16 seasons and had some really successful periods of time and challenges as well," Seibold said.
"One of the things I am really proud of is the past 16 months, going to another country in a different sport, and having some success in a different code.
"It has rounded me as a coach."
Seiboild will need that experience and then some at Manly.
While players and officials are adamant there is no split in the group, there is no denying there was frustration from players over Des Hasler's axing.
The club also lost seven straight games off the back of the Pride Jersey saga last year, as they fell from out of the top eight and turned into a basket case.
But as a former assistant at Manly, Seibold is adamant he can see a way forward for the club.
"Having worked with guys like Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans in the past, I have great relationships," he said.
"The potential and talent I see in the current squad, I see it as an opportunity to not just build but bring success to the Manly team."
