Australian halfback and Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans would welcome Des Hasler back to the Sea Eagles as coach, according to nrl.com.
Hasler was head coach of Manly from 2004-11, a period in which he guided the club to two premierships in 2008 and 2011, including a historic 40-0 grand final victory over the Melbourne Storm in 2008.
Cherry-Evans, who is the only player remaining at Manly from their 2011 premiership side, said he would support any appointment but was keen to work with the man who gave him his debut.
"Whoever the club decides to pick I'll make sure I dive right into it and enjoy whoever it is," Cherry-Evans said.
"If that is Des, we have a bit of history there. That would be exciting to link up with the person that gave me my first grade opportunity.
"Tim Sheens gave me an Aussie jersey, Mal Meninga Queensland and Dessie club. Those three coaches are people I never forgot. If I was to link up with my first ever first grade coach I'd be all for it. [But] that's not my decision, that's for the owners to worry about."
Cherry-Evans said he thought Hasler would be a good fit for the culture of Manly, despite the coach's dramatic exit from the club to the Canterbury Bulldogs following the 2011 finals series.
"Everyone hates Manly, our backs are against the wall and we love playing that style of footy and living by that mentality. Des was a big part of that," Cherry-Evans said.
"I'm sure if he gets the opportunity to come back he will pick up right where he left off.
"With such a rich history with his career at Manly, there is no denying he has the best interests of Manly at heart. It will be interesting to see it all unfold."
Cherry-Evans is fresh off the Kangaroos' narrow loss to New Zealand (26-24) on Saturday, in which he was the starting halfback in a new-look side.
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