The Canterbury Bulldogs have rejected speculation that Kieran Foran will leave the club should Des Hasler become Trent Barrett’s replacement as coach of Manly, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

It is widely expected that Hasler will get the job with the Sea Eagles, who he guided to two premierships in 2008 and 2011 during his seven year stint as head coach.

Foran was a key figure of Manly’s 2011 premiership campaign, where he teamed up brilliantly with current Sea Eagles star Daly Cherry-Evans under Hasler to secure the title.

Foran joined Canterbury in 2018 on a three-year deal, with Hasler’s then-position as coach at the club allegedly playing an important – yet not defining- role in his move to the Bulldogs.

“I’m coming back to Sydney first and foremost to be with my children but Des was a big reason, too,” Foran said last year when he signed with the Bulldogs.

Canterbury boss Andrew Hill however has denied any talk that an appointment of Hasler at Manly would cast Foran’s future at the Bulldogs in doubt.

“It’s something we have not even thought about and we won’t deal in speculation,” Hill Hill told smh.com.au.

“Kieran is getting ready for his wedding and he’s worked really hard the last three months recovering from a number of surgeries. He cannot wait to return to training on November 1.”

It would be hard for Hasler to tempt Foran over to Manly regardless, given the club’s previous salary cap breaches mean they have only $330,000 to spend on their rooster next year. Foran is one of the league’s most expensive players, with his current deal worth over $1 million each season.