MANLY coach Geoff Toovey will be finally, formally and dramatically sacked within the next 72 hours.

The controversial decision will end four months of innuendo and speculation about Toovey’s future at Manly.

The Daily Telegraph understands Manly is likely to hold a press conference to officially announce Toovey’s demise this Monday or Tuesday.

Manly’s board held a four-hour meeting on Thursday night but directors claimed Toovey’s position was not on the agenda.

The club will however summon Toovey to a meeting when he returns from Auckland, where Manly play New Zealand Warriors on Saturday at Mount Smart Stadium.

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Toovey still has another year to run on his current contract. He is expected to see out this year as head coach.

Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett will shortly be announced as Toovey’s replacement.

Manly are still undecided whether to announce Barrett’s appointment at the same media conference where they reveal Toovey’s dumping.

Barrett’s new coaching assistant, John Cartwright, won’t be formally named until later in the year.

Manly board members claim to have told Toovey “several times” in recent weeks that he was unwanted beyond this season.

Those same directors were angry Toovey continued to publicly deny being told he was to be axed.

Toovey left Australia for Auckland on Thursday morning.

media_camera Geoff Toovey’s future looks sealed after months of speculation.

The impending decision to sack Toovey will no doubt anger some Manly fans, who are fiercely loyal to the club’s former star halfback and captain.

Poor results this year did, however, make the decision easier for the club’s board.

It is understood Toovey has spoken in depth about a financial settlement with Manly chairman Scott Penn.

Penn is happy to pay Toovey his full entitlements.

One source close to the club said: “We wanted to be respectful and give Geoff every chance to prove himself.

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“Other clubs have moved their coaches on a lot earlier in the season. But the results just haven’t happened. The reality is he won’t be coaching at Manly in 2016.

“We are now working through the process to crystallise a settlement.

“We want Geoff to be part of the club. He is a life member and has been with the club for a long time. But it’s a bit too raw at the moment to determine whether he will want to stay.”

Manly will formally offer Toovey a role at the club. It is unknown just yet whether he will accept or reject the offer.

Penn could not be contacted on Thursday.