Mal Meninga keen for South Sydney gig if offered coaching job for rest of 2024

Mal Meninga is interested in the South Sydney role. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Mal Meninga hasn’t coached an NRL game in more than 20 years, but he’s still been heavily linked with the Souths role.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says he hasn’t been offered anything official by South Sydney, but is interested in taking over for the rest of the season if he’s approached to coach the NRL side.

The Immortal has been heavily linked to the role, with speculation coach Jason Demetriou will be sacked if the 1-4 Bunnies lose to the Sharks on Saturday to remain at the foot of the table.

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The Rabbitohs are keen to bring Wayne Bennett back in 2025, with Meninga on their radar to be the interim coach for the rest of the season.

Meninga last coached in the NRL more than 20 years ago but enjoyed unprecedented success with the Maroons before he joined the Kangaroos.

“I know there’s interest,” he told SEN.

“That’s the first I have to say, but there’s been no official anything so far. I felt a bit sorry for what’s happening at the club at the moment obviously, we want to see a South Sydney Rabbitohs firing in our game.

Mal Meninga has emerged as the favourite to coach the Rabbitohs for the rest of the season if Jason Demetriou is sacked. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“I feel a bit sorry for the coach at the moment, there’s been a lot of media speculation … without any comment from me because I’ve got nothing really to comment about because there’s been no official conversation been held at all.

“All I know is that they’re keen on it and a lot of it is through the media, that’s where I sit.

“Again, I feel for Jason. If this is all speculation, it’s really cruel in my mind.

“If it is factual, let’s get on with it. If Jason is the person to be moved on, then let’s be fair to him and tell him.”

Meninga has a strong bond with South Sydney stars like Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Cam Murray and Damien Cook who have all played for Australia.

One of the criticisms of Demetriou is that he hasn’t been tough enough on his top players, but the Kangaroos coach says that wouldn’t be an issue for him.

Meninga has worked closely with a number of South Sydney’s biggest stars, including the suspended Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

“You’ve got to have a strong rapport, an honest rapport, with them,” Meninga said.

“You need to have these honest conversations and I know they’re having them at the moment.

“But, from the outside looking in, they’re not responding the way they wanted to.

“I love the idea of being an interim coach; however, I’ve got some big commitments in my life. I obviously do a lot of media with Fox and (SEN), I’ve got the Australian gig and I’ve got my own business, so a lot of consideration needs to take place.

“I’m very happy in life, living down here in Canberra. It’s only short-term I know, it is something that something that certainly interests me and I’m flattered that my name is being mentioned at all.

“Again, there’s no real foundation to it just yet.”