Growing tired of waiting for Anthony Seibold to extend his stay at the NRL club, South Sydney have confirmed the signing of Wayne Bennet on a two-year deal.
South Sydney have confirmed the biggest-name coach signing in the club’s 110-year history, landing Wayne Bennett in a move that’s expected to end with Anthony Seibold joining Brisbane.
The Rabbitohs on Thursday afternoon became the next club to move in the biggest coaching upheaval in NRL history, announcing Bennett would join the club from 2020.
After growing tired of waiting for Seibold to accept a contract that had been on the table since June, Souths pounced on Bennett who had been told by the Broncos he was not wanted in Brisbane after 2019.
That’s set to leave Seibold free to join the Broncos at the end of next year, as he continues to remain favourite to replace Bennett.
“Wayne is one of the best, if the not the best, rugby league coaches of all time and we are excited to see what he can bring to our club,” Souths head of football Shane Richardson said.
“His football record is second to none and his reputation as a leader is also of the highest order.
“Here, he will have the opportunity to work with some of the best senior and up-and-coming talent in the game which, from our discussions over the past few weeks, I know he is excited about.
“Anthony (Seibold) has done a great job at our club over the past two years however his hesitance to extend his contract with us, an offer which has been on the table since June, led the club to explore other options.”
At this stage, the Rabbitohs are adamant the deal is for the end of next season, although it remains to be seen if both coaches and clubs will want to wait that long.
Either outfit can claim to be the winner of the possible deals.
Bennett is the only man to have won 500 games from the coach’s box with seven titles to his name.
The 68-year-old already has a close relationship with the Burgess brothers through his time with England, and will have all the resources he will require at the Rabbitohs.
“I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Bennett said.
“Souths is one of the iconic clubs in the game. I didn’t think I would get this opportunity, but that opportunity has now come for 2020 and 2021.”
While far less established, Brisbane will see Seibold as the man who can take their club forward in the long term after being turned down earlier this year by Craig Bellamy.
He won the Dally M coach of the year in 2018, after taking the Rabbitohs from stragglers to NRL preliminary finalists in his first year in charge.
He also has relationships with a number of Broncos players through his time as both a Queensland State of Origin assistant and juniors coach.
The news, in turn, will trigger a number of movements at other clubs.
Maguire remains the front-runner to join the Wests Tigers, a move that’s likely to be announced well before he returns home from coaching New Zealand against England.
That would free up Ivan Cleary to be released to Penrith, another move that appears to remain a case of when and not if.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That's besides the point Ren lol the bloke never intended to be with us (long term) and was using any club as a spring board to the Broncos! Where he always wanted to be. As I said before, I'm not real happy with a 2 year contract with Bennett as 2 years is nothing and its the same as Seibold and not stabilising enough for the club and players. For me 3-5 years is an appropriate contract for a coach.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Bunnies were never are a chance of taking it out this year - with or without Seibold.... he helped them over achieve though
steveng
Roar Rookie
Souths have signed Bennett as they were sick and tired at waiting for Seibold's signature, that is why I'm saying that 'the sooner Seibold leaves' the better it will be for Souths but, a 2 year contract with Bennett is not a ridgy-didge contract as far as I'm concerned and is not to the betterment of the club.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Rubbish, I'm not an 'irrational Souths fan' I believe in loyalty and Seibold is nothing more than a 'flash in the pan' at Souths, the sooner he goes in 2019 (which I believe he will) and doesn't hang around (like a bad smell) the better it will be for all. Big deal, that he got us to 3rd, but he didn't do much else in the finals! Good riddance Mr Seibold as you all you were was a flash in the pan, nothing more and nothing less. Go the Bunnies in 2019 and beyond!!!
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
How will 2 egos the sizes of W Bennett & R Crow go? Particularly if The Bunny Rabbits fall off he pace!
Phil
Roar Rookie
At time of writing Seibold hasn't been announced as Brisbane's next coach despite all the speculation saying he is going there. Say, for instance, Souths called his bluff over the contract and signed Bennett because Seibold wouldn't re commit thinking he was a certainty for the Brisbane job but missed out. If this scenario did actually happen then Seibold would have shot himself in the foot and be limping up to Centrelink.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Not sure I follow Larry, what drama? The Souths contract is for 2020 so it's not like he's breaking contract and he's not getting pushed out by the broncs so what payout would he be chasing? I doubt that there'll be a push from either side for an early switch (asuming a switch even happens) as the only suggestions of that have been speculative at best and we've all seen how reliable media speculation has been this year.
Larry1950
Guest
Wayne seems to be getting even more belligerent in his old age or he'd just be like those gas bottles & 'swap n go' instead of digging in. Is he intent on taking TP jnr & Lodge with him next season or could he for once leave a club in decent circumstances. If his statements on loving the club are true, just exit stage left without drama & let the board move on, surely he's not chasing a payout on top of his rabbitoh contract, bit mercenary if he is. I'd be happy if he took darius & left the forward pack intact but he's set him up on too long a contract for his age & fitness.
Muzz
Guest
Will Darius Boyd follow Bennett?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Of course it is unfair, they are the thoughts of an irrational Souths fan - there are a lot of them as I am sure you know. Seibold was offered a contract in June, he didn't sign it - obviously because he thought he was worth more money. Wether he was going to re-sign with Souths or sign somewhere else, the best way for him to up his value was win football games. So of course he was doing everything he could to win...
Emcie
Roar Guru
Come on mate, he was 3 months into his first season as a head coach and being tabled an offer that wouldn't take effect for another two years. That kind of negotiation would be completely in Souths favour. It's hardly a sign of being disloyal. And if you believe the media the Broncos were negotiating with practically every coach in the comp (there was even a double Cleary deal being floated at one point). It seems strange that if he was negotiating with Brisbane in june that nothings been signed despite the season being well and truely over.
Emcie
Roar Guru
If Seibold didn't care about the Bunnies he would have signed elsewhere mid season when his stock were highest. The fact that he refused to get drawn into the coaching debacle with the season on the line suggests that he was (and is) very commited to the club. Hard to have a crack at the guy when most (not all ;) ) weren't figuring the team into their top 8 at all.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Well and firstly, there are signs of a rotten apple when Seibold doesn't sign a contract, that was offered to him in June this year. Second, there rot was beginning to set in , when the Bunnies went up North and Seibold was negotiations (behind our back) with the Broncs, which was a real shock to me as I'm sure it was to all Bunnies fans! It didnt and does not look good to fans, players and staff when the head coach does that! But, its not 100% that Seibold will get the gig at the Broncs, he hasn't signed anything on the dotted line (like Bennett has at the Bunnies) now and after all this drama, I'm sure that most of our fans wish that Bennett will starts at Redfern sooner than later in 2019, hope that the Bunnies management start afresh with Bennett in 2019 and just get rid of Seibold like he did to us and behind our back. No hard feelings but, this musical coaching chairs is not good for us and the sooner Bennett get the gig at Redfearn in 2019, the better we will be off as Seibold is a rotten apple staying at Redfearn!!!
Matt H
Roar Guru
I think some are forgetting just how low the expectations for Souths were at the beginning last season. that was a brilliant season or them, which is why Seibold got the coach of the year award.
Higgo
Roar Rookie
I think is it unfair to suggest Siebold's ambitions to coach the Broncos contributed to Souths form in the second half of the year, not that i agree with you that there was a particular concern with their form in that second half. Sure, they didn't win the premiership. Yes, they lacked a complete 80 minutes in games, let themselves down against the Tigers, but i am immensely proud of the effort the team put in. I think Souths problem was their poor execution at critical times. When it worked, it worked brilliantly. Could have been great year, turned out to be a very good year. I'll take that. And i congratulate Siebold on his performance too. I hope he stays on for 2019. As for Bennett coming to Souths. I hope he has success. But i will not be pleased if the club shows interest in Lodge. He is not deserving of a contract with Souths, or any other club, in my opinion.
Matt H
Roar Guru
I feel sorry for Demetrio. He really should be next cab off the rank for a senior position. He has an immaculate coaching pedigree. If nothing comes up for him, I would be more than comfortable to have him coaching QLD when Kevvie's time is up. As for Bennett, well everyone hates him until he's at your club. Just ask St George. If he can win a title with Souths then the argument over greatest coach in history is well and truly over. Yes, the media really got that one wrong. Honestly I don't know enough about Seibold to know how he will go, but his first year with Souths has been excellent and he will have a great young roster. It would be great if he can mend fences with Kevin Walters and bring him back to mentor the halves. They looked better when he was there before.
Matt H
Roar Guru
To be fair to Seibold, he is a QLD boy and the Broncos coaching gig has come up only three times in 30 years. He may have had the feeling that if he didn't take it, he might never get another chance.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
What can I say? Bennett 1, Daylight 2nd, Media and Broncos, well they're on the wrong track .
Nat
Roar Guru
Interesting move and I can only with the old coach well. 'By all reports' Seibold is coming to Brisbane but I'll believe it when I see it and welcome another CQ boy into the fold. I'll be surprised if this doesn't play out this way as it's a dangerous game to play for a rookie coach. Just like Souths, he has some quality young stock to work with and they'll be a year more experienced. I would be a little disappointed if Brisbane lost Demetriou to another club because he has done everything possible to earn an NRL gig.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Firstly, welcome to the Bunnies Wayne Bennett, we welcome you to this great club and passion!!! Secondly, I don't know what Seibold wanted but, he surely didnt want to be at Souths, he used the Bunnies as a spring board for his ambitions which is sad! To me the Bunnies just didnt look right at the latter part of this season, must have been Seibold's ambitions to never be with us? Bennett will do a good job at the Bunnies, he has the experience to do great things and hopefully he picks up the spirit of what it is to be a true and passionate Rabbitoh, great news!!!