Wayne Bennett denies he’s trying to get sacked by Brisbane Broncos to earn $2 million payday

Wayne Bennett has slammed suggestions he is trying to get sacked by the Broncos to pocket a $2 million payday in 2019.

Wayne Bennett remains at the Broncos for now.

• REELING: Souths rocked by Bennett shock

• MEETING: Three-minute chat decided Bennett future

Wayne Bennett has slammed suggestions he is trying to get sacked by the Broncos to pocket a $2 million payday in 2019.

Bennett’s rollercoaster ride at the Broncos took another turn on Saturday after a crisis meeting with chairman Karl Morris determined he would remain in Brisbane next year.

Bennett was widely expected to immediately swap jobs with South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold, given they will trade clubs from 2020.

Behind the scenes negotiations for the immediate swap have hit a stalemate, however league sources are convinced Bennett and Seibold will trade clubs before the 2019 season begins.

Bennett, 68, has been accused of wanting a full payout of his $1 million Broncos contract for 2019 to link with South Sydney, where he will pocket a similar salary to coach the Rabbitohs.

But the seven-time NRL premiership winning coach hit out at those suggestions, insisting he did not want to walk out on his players at the Broncos.

Wayne Bennett says he is committed to his players, not money.

“This is not about money,” Bennett told The Courier-Mail.

“I don’t want any payout. It’s about the promise I made to my players and I’m keeping my word to them.

“There’s been no doubt I have wanted to be at Brisbane next season. I said way back in April that I wanted to see out the final year of my contract and I haven’t wavered on that. I have been very consistent with my position.

“The Broncos have said they intend to honour my deal and I can only take their word on that.”

Wayne Bennett pounds the pavements of Brisbane recently.

The Broncos are reluctant to sack Bennett and fork out a significant salary for Seibold to coach the club in 2019, a year before his four-year contract is due to begin.

It was a $2 million turnaround for the Broncos to sack Anthony Griffin in 2014 and bring Bennett back to the club to try and deliver Brisbane a first NRL title since 2006.

The Broncos went within seconds of winning a seventh title in 2015, Bennett’s first year back in Brisbane, but have been unable to win a premiership.

Morris and Broncos CEO Paul White rejected Bennett’s proposal to end his coaching career at Red Hill with a farewell season in 2020, prompting a bitter falling out between the parties.

Bennett has maintained he is committed to seeing out his current contract, meaning the Broncos would have to sack him and pay out $1 million to move him on.

Wayne Bennett hides in his office this week as players train. Picture: Annette Dew

The “promise” Bennett referred to relates to a group text message he sent to Broncos players on September 25 after being informed 2019 would be his last year at Brisbane.

“Hi Guys, There will be a press release at 4.30 stating that 2019 will be my final season for the Brisbane Broncos,” the message read.

“I’m committed to you for 2019 and excited with what we can achieve together. It was a club decision that 2019 was my last and you know regardless of that we know what a great group we are together.

“Have a good rest for us to have the best possible season. Have a fire in the belly for 2019. Coach.”

Bennett has denied suggestions South Sydney was expecting him to join the club on December 3 and he has been planning pre-season training programs for the Rabbitohs.

After hiding in his office during training last Thursday, Bennett will be expected to return to his duties if he is to fulfil his current contract.

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Originally published as Wayne Bennett denies he’s trying to get sacked by Brisbane Broncos to earn $2 million payday