Gus reveals Schuster's next move as Manly saga ends

Questions about Josh Schuster’s career in the NRL are beginning to lighten, as league legend Phil Gould reveals he has “no doubt” fans will see the young star back on the field in 2025.

Schuster was contracted with the Sea Eagles until the end of 2027 after inking a $800,000 per season deal late last year. However, the deal is not set to begin until the 2025 season.

The club revealed on Wednesday they had finally come to an agreement to terminate the second-rower’s deal and acknowledged that Schuster’s time at the club didn’t “work out” the way things were expected to.

Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast, Gould discussed the possible next steps that the 22-year-old may take, claiming his decision will play an “important” part in shaping his future.

“His next decision is an important one,” Gould said.

“I think it would be sad if he was lost to the game.

“I think [the saga] will be an important part of his life going forward and I can’t imagine him wanting to give the game away.

“Whether he has an extended break from the game at this stage, I don’t know.

Schuster remained on personal leave from the club throughout the contract saga but was a featured player on four occasions with Manly’s feeder side in Blacktown’s NSW Cup competition team.

“…I know he’s got some personal issues that he’s been dealing with,” said the league great.

Gus reveals Schuster’s next move as Manly saga ends

“I could talk for hours about contracts and money, expectation, anxiety, and kids being exposed to all of that too early. I can also talk about personal traumas and all these sorts of things that the kids are dealing with that we never find out until later.

“There are a whole range of things going on here with Josh and that’s for Josh to talk about at his own leisure at some stage.

“I’d hate to see him lost to the game. He’s an immense talent.”

Gould suggested that Schuster could make the shock decision to walk away from the NRL completely, however, the Canterbury general manager said he has “no doubts” that the young second-rower will find his place with a team next season.

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“I have no doubt that there will be a club that takes him on. No doubt,” he said.

“But that’s going to have to take some commitment from Josh as well. He would recognise that.

“It will be a decision as to whether a) he really wants to play the game and how that fits in with what he wants to do with the rest of his life then b) finding and getting the opportunity with the right club and right coach to go forward,” he said.

“Even if he doesn’t, if Josh walked away from the game all power to him… That would be an admirable thing to do.

Josh Schuster in action for the Manly Sea Eagles.

“Use this payout and go buy a nice house, go get a job and enjoy your life. You’re not defined by being a footballer.

“It’s all his known to this age and it’s all he’s ever wanted to be and it’s he’s expected to be. Sometimes it’s expected that that’s all they will do.

“I’m quite sure the Josh Schuster story up to this point in time has not been told in full, but we will leave it at that.”