Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett vows to continue coaching after contract expires

A DEFIANT Wayne Bennett will refuse to retire and plans to coach another NRL club in 2020 after Broncos bosses yesterday pulled the trigger on Brisbane’s only premiership coach.

A DEFIANT Wayne Bennett will refuse to retire and plans to coach another NRL club in 2020 after Broncos bosses yesterday pulled the trigger on Brisbane’s only premiership coach.

Months of speculation surrounding Bennett’s future is finally over, with the Broncos confirming the 68-year-old will be axed as head coach after seeing out his current deal next season.

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The Courier-Mail broke the news of Bennett’s demise online at 3.38pm yesterday, prompting the Broncos to release a formal statement. The final straw was Brisbane’s woeful 48-18 season-ending finals loss to the Dragons three weeks ago.

Broncos chairman Karl Morris said last night he and Bennett agreed the veteran would see out his contract in his quest to deliver a seventh premiership to Brisbane before his exit.

“The club will work through a thorough process, led by CEO Paul White, to identify and select a coach for the 2020 season and beyond,” Morris said.

Bennett was last night “gutted”. The decision is one of the most significant in Brisbane’s 30-year history, with their foundation coach having delivered all six Broncos premierships.

Coach Wayne Bennett will be axed as head coach after seeing out his current deal next season. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

But his remarkable reign at Red Hill, which will span 26 seasons if he honours his contract next year, is coming to an end.

The Broncos have offered Bennett a senior administrative role for 2020, but the NRL’s greatest mentor has no interest in a front-office job and it is understood he will seek another coaching post in the NRL. His sentiment is a clear sign the super coach will exit the coaching world on his terms, even if the Broncos won’t grant him his wish of a 12-month extension and a swan song year in 2020.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail eight weeks ago, Bennett’s request for one final contract was rejected by Broncos hierarchy, who informed the coach of his fate in recent days.

“Having the decision made now puts an end to speculation and allows a clear focus on getting ready for next season,” Bennett said.

“I firmly believe in the playing group we have here at the club.”

The Broncos have been linked with Souths coach Anthony Seibold and his Rabbitohs predecessor Michael Maguire, but White insists no definitive replacement has been sourced.

“We are in no rush to find the next coach of this club and we have been clear on that for the past year – we have a process and we will work through that to get the best result,” he said.

“Planning has already begun for next season and we are expecting big things from the team.

“The 2019 season is something we can all look forward to.”

Broncos legend Steve Renouf is adamant Bennett is not a spent force as an NRL coach.

“It’s probably the right thing to do in the end,” he said.

“The club maybe needs a fresh face, but Wayne is still one of the top coaches. I still think he’s got it.

“Brisbane want to move into the next stage of the club’s history and Wayne’s had a fair run at it.

“He’s been very successful.”

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett vows to continue coaching after contract expires