Des Hasler has described the Daly Cherry-Evans fiasco as "like watching reality TV", admitting he thought his old halfback would be a one-club player at Manly.
Hasler on Wednesday dodged questions whether he would make a play for Cherry-Evans at the Gold Coast, 10 years after the halfback's stunning backflip on the club.
It was Hasler who gave Cherry-Evans his debut in the NRL in 2011, when the young-faced Queenslander became the most recent rookie halfback to win a premiership.
The pair were reunited when Hasler returned to the Sea Eagles in 2019, and remain close with the coach attending Cherry-Evans' wedding last summer.
The 36-year-old would likely be the final piece of the puzzle for the Titans if they could lure him to Queensland, given their forward pack and strike out wide.
But Hasler refused to enter into speculation around chasing Cherry-Evans on Wednesday, when asked if he was interested.
"At the moment I am not going to go down that rabbit warren," Hasler said.
"I will say it once. We are really happy with the retention that we have and the direction that we are taking.
"Knowing Cherry, and his management team are also pretty smart, they will sit back now and just wait I'd imagine. I think there is a lot more to play out."
Hasler was named at halfback in Manly's official greatest ever side in 1990, with Cherry-Evans having likely since taken on that mantle.
Cherry-Evans holds the record for the most games in Manly's history, playing his 333rd last weekend before it emerged he had told the club this year would be his last at Brookvale.
The Sea Eagles have since countered with a two-year deal worth $1.4 million, which Cherry-Evans has said he will reject while still keeping the door open for playing elsewhere in 2026.
Both Manly and Cherry-Evans have insisted there is no bad blood between he and the club.
Hasler has had his own feud with Manly after being axed as coach at the end of 2022, launching legal action before an out-of-court settlement last November.
"Rugby league is the game that keeps giving isn’t it? It has been an interesting week," Hasler said.
"It is a bit like watching reality TV.
"I think both parties are trying to play the respectful game. I have no inkling, and I don't want to have an inkling, as to what sort of machinations are in there."
Hasler did indicate his surprise at the thought Cherry-Evans would play elsewhere, agreeing it would be strange to see him in other colours.
"If you are a tragic and a lot of people are, you would think he is the type of player who would be a one-club player," Hasler said.
"There's been a few before him. And he might even hold the record (for most games at Manly).
"I am sure all those things are worth considering."
