The NRL coaching merry-go-round goes into overdrive

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Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Souths set to replace Seibold as coaching merry-go-round nears conclusion


Brad Walter
NRL.com
Thu 25 Oct 2018, 02:13 PM


South Sydney are poised to appoint their next coach within days after Anthony Seibold advised the club on Thursday that he wanted to continue to pursue interest in the Brisbane Broncos job.

The Broncos board are due to make a decision next Tuesday on Wayne Bennett's replacement for the 2020 season, with Seibold the favourite among the four candidates interviewed in the past two weeks. Kevin Walters, Michael Maguire and Jason Demetriou are also on that list.

However, the Rabbitohs have been working on a contingency plan and could force Brisbane's hand by appointing Seibold's successor as soon as Friday in a move that could clear the way for him to join the Broncos immediately.

That would depend on Bennett, who has been strongly linked with a move to Souths eight years after Rabbitohs officials initially believed he had agreed to coach the NRL's oldest and most successful club.

Melbourne Storm assistant Adam O'Brien, who is moving to Sydney Roosters in the same capacity next season, could be another contender for the Souths job while Wigan premiership mentor Shaun Wane would be a left-field option after parting ways with the Super League club.

However, Bennett looms as the most likely choice for Souths and the seven-times premiership winning mentor could be part of a vastly changed NRL coaching landscape in which:

  • Seibold moves to Brisbnane
  • Bennett takes charge of Souths
  • Ivan Cleary joins Penrith
  • Michael Maguire replaces Cleary at Wests Tigers

Bennett is contracted to Brisbane for another season and has repeatedly insisted he would see out the final year of his deal but it is likely both the Broncos and Rabbitohs would be keen on a coaching swap in 2019 if their coaches were heading to the other club in 2020.

After advising Bennett that the club would not be extending his services beyond 2019, Brisbane officials maintain they are happy for him to serve out the full term of his contract but it is more feasible for the incoming coach to take over as soon as possible.

It is understood that Souths would also be prepared for Seibold to continue coaching next season if they did not have a replacement ready to take over immediately.

The concern for Bennett is likely to revolve around the future of his staff, as high performance manager Jeremy Hickmans and head of performance analysis Scott Barker have moved with him from St George Illawarra to Newcastle to Brisbane. They would be expected to follow him to his next coaching role.

Hickmans and Barker are also part of Bennett's coaching staff with England, who open their three Test series against New Zealand in Hull this weekend.

Rabbitohs forwards George and Tom Burgess are in the England squad, while brother Sam has been ruled out of the series through injury but has a close relationship with Bennett.

Coincidentally, Bennett's future is linked to his Kiwis counterpart Michael Maguire as the pair are the preferred candidates of Wests Tigers if Ivan Cleary departs for Penrith next season.

Cleary is expected to sign a three-year with the Panthers from the 2021 season, and it is understood the Tigers will only release him earlier if they secure either Bennett or Maguire.

Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe made a detour on his way to the United States to meet with Maguire in Auckland before New Zealand's Test against Australia on October 13 and returned to work on Thursday, with a decision on the coaching job believed to be imminent.

If Bennett was to join Souths it would pave the way for Maguire to take charge of the Tigers after he returns from England with the Kiwis.

Maguire guided Souths to the 2014 premiership after being given the job when Bennett chose to join Newcastle in 2012 after Nathan Tinkler purchased the Knights. He was sacked by the Rabbitohs 12 months ago.

He recently turned down the Manly job, paving the way for Des Hasler's return to the Sea Eagles on Monday, and was interviewed by the Broncos earlier this month, along with Seibold, Walters and Demetriou.

The Rabbitohs had tabled a contract extension to Seibold, who took the club to within one win of the grand final in his first season as a head coach, but he has declined to take it up while he remains in contention for the Brisbane job.

Seibold told Souths officials on Thursday that his preferred option was to keep alive his prospects of coaching the Broncos in 2020.

There were reports the Rabbitohs could turn to former Canberra coach David Furner, who was an assistant to both Maguire and Seibold, but Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington has denied that he has a get-out clause in his three-year deal with the Super League club.

"We know how highly Dave was thought of at South Sydney Rabbitohs, his achievements there were a key reason why we spoke to him about becoming the Rhinos head coach," Hetherington said.

"We are looking forward to Dave arriving at the club and plans are well advanced for next season.

"Dave met with Konrad Hurrell last week to finalise his move to the Rhinos and has been in a constant conversation with myself and Kevin Sinfield regarding other potential targets for next season."


https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/25...s-he-is-prime-contender-for-brisbane-broncos/
 
Anthony Seibold’s stunning spray at Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett



Phil Rothfield, The Sunday Telegraph
4 minutes ago



South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold has finally snapped.

After weeks of deliberation and uncertainty over his future, the Broncos coach-in-waiting launched a scathing attack on Wayne Bennett yesterday, and revealed the emotional toll on his young family.

And in an email Seibold wrote to chief executive Blake Solly, obtained by The Sunday Telegraph, the embattled coach reveals he had been shut out of all key decision making for 2019.

He says he has been told twice by Solly and South Sydney football manager Shane Richardson that he would be coaching the Broncos in 2019, and that he had actually packed up and cleaned out his office at the Rabbitohs on Thursday afternoon.

“I have had a gutful,” he said, “I’ve been sitting here for four weeks and feeling like a punching bag.

“It’s not acceptable and it’s not fair.

“I told my wife and three daughters we’re leaving. We’ve told the kids twice we’re moving and then twice that we’re staying. They’ve been in tears. We’re trying to sort out their schools. It’s really taking its toll on them.”

In the email to Solly, it’s revealed Souths:

* Refused to allow Seibold to appoint an assistant coach to replace David Furner, thinking Bennett would bring his own. They still don’t have one.

* Abandoned an off-season training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport because Bennett had asked to do an Army camp instead.

* Had been dealing with Bennett on potential new signings and that winger Robert Jennings was no longer being paid because his contract had not been registered as a result of the coaching uncertainty.

Seibold also revealed Bennett had been ringing Souths players in recent weeks about his plans for next year. Seibold claims Bennett had already told fullback Alex Johnston he was moving to the wing if Greg Inglis wanted to play fullback.

“He’s been ringing up the Souths boys but then tells his press conference he hasn’t spoken to anyone,” Seibold said, “That’s absolute ********.

“He’s rang Damien Cook, Alex Johnston, Sam Burgess. It’s all gone too far and has to be sorted out.”

As late as Thursday, Seibold was told by the Rabbitohs he would be swapping with Bennett.

It is why he has now blown up after watching Bennett’s backflip press conference on Friday.

“Shane Richardson and Blake Solly said they’re moving me to Brisbane,” he said.

“I’ve got all the text messages. Thursday week ago was the first time. During the week they told me Wayne had agreed to the swap.

“I’m sick of Wayne carrying on. I’ve bit my tongue and said nothing until now.

“Wayne has twice given his word to Shane Richardson that he’s coming. That’s what Richo told me.

“It was all going to be done by December 3. I had a camp planned for the AIS but Wayne wanted an Army camp. I challenged one of my staff members and he told me he’d been told not to pay the deposit with the AIS.”

Seibold says he is more than happy to remain at the Rabbitohs. He just wants transparency and Bennett to stop interfering if he’s not coming to Sydney.

“Not once have I gone to Souths and said I wanted to leave,” he said, “Not once. They’ll tell you that.

“I just want clarity and so do the players. I feel for the players at both clubs. It’s a joke.

“I’ve still got control with the coaching of the players which is important.

“But everything else has been taken out of my control. My complaint is not about Souths. It’s about Wayne... he’s playing games.

“I get the idea Souths want a swap and if they believe it’s the best thing, we’ve got to put the club first and it’s got to happen.

“I haven’t been involved in recruitment or retention for four weeks but if I’m here at Souths, I’m going to be judged the team’s performances and who we’ve got in the group.”

Despite reports to the contrary, he insists he has the full support of the playing group.

“We went from 12th to third last year because we had a great relationship and a fantastic group,” Seibold said.

“I wish I could show you all their text messages. They don’t deserve to be treated like this.”

SEIBOLD’S EMAIL TO THE RABBITOHS CEO

An edited extract of an email Anthony Seibold sent to Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly on Tuesday.

To Blake Solly,

As a follow up to yesterday’s morning’s meeting I wanted to put on record the discussion points and concerns I raised in front of the football staff.

For clarity & certainty for all staff - It had been communicated to me that Wayne Bennett had made a commitment that he would be starting at South Sydney Rabbitohs on December 3rd 2018 -

Wayne Bennett had now reneged on his promise to be at South Sydney on December 3rd. Discussions were still ongoing with him. Resolution was still unknown.

*Cancellation of the AIS Pre-Season Camp - Brock Schaefer replied he had been ordered to not pay the deposit on the AIS camp due to a potential Army Camp not planned by current Head Coach.

*Robert Jennings - Why has he not been paid and why was that not communicated to me as Head Coach? Speaking to Robert he said he was stressed with the situation and has still not been paid or been communicated to directly. Mark Ellison told the meeting he had signed a contract but the club could not register presently.

* Potential signing of Liam Knight from the Canberra Raiders - Ben Rogers replied that Peter Mullholland had contacted himself and Wayne Bennett to discuss the possible signing of Liam Knight for 2019. Liam has not been signed but Wayne was consulted on the possibility of his recruitment. Whist Head Coach I wanted an update of our current Retention & Recruitment conversations as I have not been updated since returning for work on November 7th - Ben Rogers agreed to come and see me which he followed up on this afternoon to update. He communicated to me that all Recruitment & Retention decisions had been put on hold until further notice.

Further points of discussion I wish to document regarding communication to me made on the provision of Wayne Bennett coming on December 3rd:

* Appointment of Jarred Wade as Head of Performance as a direct replacement for Paul Devlin - What has been communicated to Jarred since -Wayne Bennett has back-flipped on his promise to be at Souths by December 3rd?

* Alex Johnston - Alex spoke to me today that Wayne Bennett contacted him regarding his playing future for 2019 and his possible position change to the wing if Greg Inglis wants to play Fullback. Alex now has until Friday to let an un-named NRL club know if he asks for a release and accepts a contract with them for 2019.

* Last week Wayne Bennett called Paul Devlin and asked him to stay for 2019 and that he would extend his contract if he would stay and that it was him who was making the decisions at Souths going forward. Paul Devlin indicated he wanted to work with me as Head of Performance going forward.

* Appointment of Assistant Coach as a replacement of David Furner for 2019 - Email dated from Shane Richardson on 5th November 2018 stating - “In view of the current situation with your move to the Broncos we will not be appointing a new assistant for 2019.” If a swap does not occur I will seek the appointment of Ben Cross as Forwards Coach for 2019

Wrestling Coach - Alex Prates / Fabriciio Itte - Mark Ellison contacted Alex regarding Wayne wanting to get a wrestle coach for 2019. Alex Prates the current Souths Wrestling Coach called me to ask could he recommend a coach to Mark and that Mark had indicated Wayne was starting on December 3rd.

If a swap does not occur where does this leave both Alex Prates and Fabriciio Itte (Wrestling coach) Mark Ellison was seeking out for Wayne Bennett.

Anthony Seibold


https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...t/news-story/9bc900dad631d5b92bee56cd8bfc819d
 
Good on him. Wayne is an absolute selfish prick who only gives a rats about himself.

I have no doubt in my mind the only reason he signed with Souths because he knew this exact outcome would happen as Brisbane were looking to secure a new coach in Seibold.

He is a money hungry human being who is wanting to be sacked so he can play st a club he would have never been genuinely interested in for financial gain.

He needs to be called out for the mess he left us in and this disaster he has caused.

Can’t stand him.
 
Bennett was probably just making sure the Broncs had to sack him so they have no choice but to top up his salary.
If he had walked out they would have a case to not pay him the huge salary - and he's in it for the money.
 
I dislike Wayne as much as anyone, but honestly, the Broncos are the ones who were trying to play hardball in this, and Wayne called their bluff by saying he was not only willing, but keen, to fulfil his contract with them.
The Broncs are the ones who decided to move him on, and they tried to force the old fox to say he wanted out, and he isn't that silly.
If Siebold is unhappy, it should be with him new bosses, who made it play out in this messy fashion.
 
The fact that the Broncos can’t discuss the termination suggests that a settlement has been reached and it is subject to confidentiality. So it likely isn’t the full amount he would have earned had he stayed, otherwise it would be paid according to the contract (rather than this further settlement agreement).

IMO, Wayne hasn’t played this well at all. Sure it’s more money from the Broncos, but what would Souths be thinking they have walked into right now? It’s like both Sielbold and Bennett have chosen the Broncos over the Rabbitohs and sacking Bennett was the only way to get him away from Brisbane.

The fact that TPJ, Oates and Roberts haven’t re-signed yet, and Boyd’s weird career-long fascination with Bennett, all suggest that Bennett is disruptive to the relationship between players and their club. For mine, if I was a Bunnies fan, or on the Board there, I’d be a bit uneasy now with the decision to hire Bennett having seen how he handled himself over the past few weeks, and this last week in particular.
 
knightime said:
IMO, Wayne hasn’t played this well at all. Sure it’s more money from the Broncos, but what would Souths be thinking they have walked into right now? It’s like both Sielbold and Bennett have chosen the Broncos over the Rabbitohs and sacking Bennett was the only way to get him away from Brisbane.
Click to expand...

That's to suggest he cares. Bennett has been bitter with the Broncos for a while now. He's just been trying to **** with them.
 
Bennett has played it perfectly and got what he aimed for. No matter how much you may or may not despise the guy he has played it perfectly in his position.

Souths are probably happy with this outcome as well seeing as though they won’t need to pay the Broncos any compensation to take him early.

Bennett hasn’t chosen the Broncos over Souths. He chose the money. Now that he is getting that from them he is likely to be fully committed to who is paying him next which is Souths so they won’t have anything to worry about until his time with them comes up and he rips their joint apart on the way out.
 
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