The development comes as the Sea Eagles contemplate bringing Tony Williams back to Brookvale as part of a dramatic roster overhaul.

Rugby league's worst-kept secret was confirmed when Manly officially announced Geoff Toovey will be sacked in favour of Barrett, who will take up a three-year deal from 2016. Barrett has now ended his association with Penrith, where he was an assistant coach, but he'll also have to toss in another job.

Country Rugby League CEO Terry Quinn said the organisation was now on the lookout for a new coach after Barrett resigned to concentrate on his NRL head coaching career.

"That's what he wants to do and that's what he informed us when the [Manly] job was announced," Quinn said.

"We'll throw it around and see what we come up with, it will be interesting. We wouldn't put any pressure on him [to continue], we've got a lot of respect for what he has done for us. I'm pleased he's got the job, it just shows the pathway is there through other avenues.

"He is a very good coach, we've seen what he's done with our guys. He's got the respect of everyone with what he's doing, they all want to play for him and he's been great.

"There is a great respect of his ability and knowledge of the game. I think he will go very well.

"It's always a tough gig with the situation he's coming into but he comes in with a clean slate, so he's got no baggage, which is good.

"Good luck to him, I hope he goes well."

The CRL board will meet on August 22 to discuss replacement options. There will be no shortage of well-credentialled contenders including Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon, interim Newcastle coach Danny Buderus, undefeated NSW under 20s mentor Dean Pay, Melbourne consultant and Super League premiership-winning coach Nathan Brown and Blues assistant Matt Parish. South Sydney's premiership winning-mentor Michael Maguire would be on top of the wish list but it's unclear whether he would be prepared to shift his attention from the Rabbitohs.

"It's a good problem to have," said Quinn, who is yet to speak with any of the contenders. "A few years ago we were probably struggling to come up with someone.

"They are all bush boys too, which is even better and that's what we look for wherever possible."

Manly is in the process of trying to free up salary cap space by moving on more than a dozen players, some of them contracted.

Hooker Matt Ballin, playmaker Feleti Mateo and forward Luke Burgess are the biggest names management is trying to squeeze out despite the fact they are signed for 2016.

The Sea Eagles have already recruited Nate Myles, Lewis Brown, Api Koroisau and Darcy Lussick for next year, but the spending spree may not be over just yet. Officials have been toying with the prospect of making a play for Williams, who made 73 appearances for the Sea Eagles before making the shift from Brookvale to Belmore.

Williams, out for the season with a pectoral injury, is contracted to the Bulldogs for next year. Sea Eagles supremo Bob Fulton has made a pact with Canterbury's Des Hasler and recruitment manager Noel Cleal not to poach each other's players without first seeking each other's blessing, so it remains to be seen whether Manly will act on their interest in Williams.

Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans said he felt for teammates told their services aren't required.

"That would be an extremely tough position to be in as a player," Cherry-Evans said.

"I can only hope they if we can get a couple of wins in a row that could somewhat ease the pain of the departure of a few good friends."