Broncos CEO Paul White defends process to select Anthony Seibold

BRONCOS boss Paul White has hit back at suggestions the interview process to appoint Anthony Seibold as Wayne Bennett’s successor was a sham.

Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White is happy with the process in selecting Anthony Seibold. (AAP Image/Darren England)

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BRONCOS boss Paul White has hit back at suggestions the interview process to appoint Anthony Seibold as Wayne Bennett’s successor was a sham.

Seibold will leave South Sydney to coach the Broncos on a four-year contract from 2020 after being poached by Brisbane hierarchy this week.

The 44-year-old Seibold’s appointment was made official on Wednesday after he was first linked to the Broncos in July following Brisbane’s failed pursuit of Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.

But the Broncos did not complete their interviewing process – which also included prospective coaches Kevin Walters, Michael Maguire and Jason Demetriou – until last week.

Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White is happy with the process in selecting Anthony Seibold. (AAP Image/Darren England)

The Seibold announcement came a week after Walters’ interview for the job, however it became apparent earlier that the Rabbitohs coach was the man the Broncos wanted.

There has been suggestions the Broncos’ interview process was window dressing and the club had long ago settled on Seibold as Bennett’s replacement.

Chief executive White denied that was the case and he was comfortable with the process followed by chairman Karl Morris and club legend Darren Lockyer.

“We were certainly very comfortable with the process that we undertook,” White told The Courier-Mail.

“We were consistent with that. We didn’t rush the process.”

The snubbing of Walters has gone down like a lead balloon with many ex-Broncos players already disillusioned with the club’s recent history.

The overlooking of Kevin Walters was controversial to many. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

White’s relationship with Seibold has also been a point of discussion in league circles given they both hail from the Rockhampton region, like former Broncos coach Anthony Griffin.

White insisted Seibold emerged as the most impressive candidate after lengthy interviews and psychometric testing.

“All four coaches we talked to performed really well but Anthony was the standout,” he said.

“In particular his game analysis, attention to detail and thinking around people management was important to us.

“He understood the importance of a strong culture and really consistent work ethic. They were some of the things that stood out.

“We had always said the work we should do should always be for the long-term good of the Broncos.

“For that reason, I’ve got no doubt Anthony is the right man for the job.”

Speculation is swirling that Bennett and Seibold will complete an immediate swap and coach their future clubs from next season rather than 2020.

That would require a delicate settlement and no party wants to emerge as the loser from any potential negotiations.

White said the Broncos’ stance had not changed and they were supportive of Bennett seeing out his current contract until the end of the 2019 season.

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