Hasler welcomed players back to pre-season training at Narrabeen on Monday, as the Sea Eagles' non-representative players checked in for medicals and a gym session.

There was also no sign of Trent Barrett, with the club's still-employed former coach believed to be edging closer to a formal exit after handing in his 12 months notice in July.

Instead the halfback at the crux of Hasler's initial rebuild, Michael Monaghan, greeted players as the club's new pathways and specialist coach and two-time premiership-winning hooker Matt Ballin was unveiled as welfare manager and under-20s coach.

Don Singe - Hasler's head trainer since his reserve grade coaching days in 1999 - was also back as strength and conditioning coach, while recruitment guru Noel Cleal has also been linked with a return.

When Hasler was first a coach at Manly between 2004 and 2011 he turned the club from a rabble to two-time premiers. A similar challenge awaits him this summer.

"He just brings that experience, that culture," club legend Steve Menzies, who played both with and under Hasler, told AAP.

"I think the squad speaks for itself. Last year at our best we were as good as the top teams ... Just maintaining that all season and during 80 minutes (was the problem).

"We go through great periods and then we lose our way a little bit. Then a team will score three tries like Penrith beat us towards the end.

"That consistency between your best and not best is what Dessie will bring."

Manly were low-key in their return on Monday, with a number of reporters awaiting Hasler's first day back leading the club's training.

They are now one of nine clubs back in training, with the Gold Coast, Newcastle and North Queensland all back on Monday, along with St George Illawarra's younger brigade.

Canberra, Canterbury, Parramatta and the Warriors all returned last week.

But few will arrive back with as much interest as Hasler, who took Manly to seven straight finals series and three deciders before his unceremonious exit from the club after the 2011 premiership.

"When Des got the job, I called him to say I would love to help out in any capacity," Ballin, who will leave his family behind in Brisbane, told the club's website.

"To be able to coach at Manly under Des, who I played under for such a long time, is pretty special.

"I was really honoured that Des believed in me."

Australian Associated Press