Anthony Seibold confident lack of playing pedigree won’t prove deterent in Souths coaching role

RUGBY league’s most famous and successful club, complete with their Hollywood star owner, now have the most unknown head coach in the NRL. Don’t be fooled though.

Anthony Seibold insists he’s done the hard yards as a coach.

“YOU don’t have to have played for Australia to be an elite coach.”

That was the message from Anthony Seibold as he takes the reins at South Sydney on a two-year deal.

Rugby league’s most famous and successful club, complete with their Hollywood star owner, now have the most unknown head coach in the NRL.

Don’t be fooled though.

Anthony Seibold insists he’s done the hard yards as a coach.

Seibold could be the next big thing at South Sydney.

The 42-year-old was officially announced on Thursday as Souths’ coach for the next two years, taking over from his predecessor and good friend Michael Maguire.

Despite being his first stint in an NRL hot seat, Seibold doesn’t think of himself as a rookie coach.

“I’ve been a full-time coach now for 11 years,” Seibold said, after a coaching career that’s taken him to the UK Super League and included stints as an assistant with Melbourne, Manly and Queensland’s State of Origin team.

“But some people might not know who I am.

“For people who don’t know who I am, I have worked really hard in those 11 years. I’d like to think I have built a really good reputation.

“I don’t consider myself to be a rookie coach.”

Like four-time AFL premiership-winning coach Alistair Clarkson, Seibold had a solid rather than spectacular playing career, but he doesn’t count that as a drawback.

“I understand people may not know who I am, I don’t come with an elite playing background,” Seibold said.

“If you look at the AFL model, not all the best coaches in the AFL were elite players. You don’t have to have played for Australia to be an elite coach.

“It’s for others I suppose, to put their expectations on me and think I’m a risk or not.

“I am pretty comfortable what I can bring to the group. It’s a real privilege to take this position.”

Like Maguire, Seibold has a reputation for being focused, thorough and structured.

Maguire guided the Rabbitohs to the 2014 premiership, their first in 42 years. But winning just 18 of his past 52 games sealed Maguire’s premature demise.

Seibold spoke to the players and club staff on Thursday morning. And has planned a staff review on Monday.

Rockhampton-born, Seibold played with Canberra and Brisbane along with playing stints in England and France before he started coaching.

“I’ve done a long apprenticeship. I wouldn’t have said yes to the position unless I thought I could take the club forward,” he said.

“I’m ready to do this role.”

Coach Michael Maguire won only 18 of his last 52 matches as coach.

Seibold said he had spoken to Maguire and denied there was any bad blood, even if he was lined up to immediately step into the former coach’s seat.

“I have known Madge for 20 years,” Seibold said.

“I had a conversation with him yesterday afternoon and it was a tough conversation to have.

“He was really supportive of the opportunity that’s been presented to me. He was obviously very disappointed.

“It’s been a tough couple of days for him. No-one likes losing their job in any industry. Our friendship will remain.”

Souths chairman Nick Pappas described the meeting between the board and Maguire on Tuesday as “pleasant and in good spirits” and that “everyone laughed at the end of the meeting.”

Pappas and club general manager of football, Shane Richardson, spoke highly of Maguire.

“Michael has made an indelible contribution to the Rabbitohs over the six years he’s been with us — he took us to the heights of the NRL and to a World Club Challenge victory,” Pappas said.

“Those successes erased many years of pain and hardship for our club during years of exclusion and the early years of reinstatement.”

“From my point of view, there’s no way we would have won a premiership in 2014 without Michael Maguire. He is a great coach and great human being.”

The appointment means Seibold has stood down from the Maroons coaching staff.