Wayne Bennett responds to Souths’ ‘tragedy’, takeover rumours
Wayne Bennett has offered his views on Souths coach Jason Demetriou and reports he is set to take over at the Rabbitohs.
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Wayne Bennett has staunchly defended under fire Souths coach and former protege Jason Demetriou while dismissing reports he is set to take over at the Rabbitohs next year.
It’s believed Demetriou will be sacked by the Rabbitohs in the very near future and replaced by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, with Bennett the short-priced favourite to return to the club he coached for three years (2019-2021) from next season.
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However Bennett, who’s contract with the Dolphins runs out at season’s end, says he’s none the wiser where he’ll be in 2025 and beyond.
“I have no idea what is going on at Souths so I don’t really want to make any comment on something I don’t know anything about,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“I am here until the end of the season and I have made no decisions about going anywhere or doing anything so we will wait and see.
“Everyone is having an opinion on it. My opinion is the one that matters but I’m not sharing it with anyone, so keep guessing guys. Don’t try and predict the future. That’s the only tip I’m giving you.
“I’ll see what I want to do and what’s happening in my life. I could still be here next year. Who knows?”
Bennett went into bat for Demetriou, who the legendary coach feels is taking all of the blame for the club’s issues.
“I know Jason is a good coach and something has gone amiss. That is their problem and they will have to sort it out,” Bennett said.
“The coach takes all of the responsibility and the club takes none. That is the tragedy of all this stuff.
“That is the job we take on. We know that is our life and we also know it can go pear shaped very quickly and that is what has happened there.”
Bennett also poured water on a potential move to the Eels, with coach Brad Arthur in the midst of a battle to save his job.
“Not even nearly (have I considered it). I haven’t even walked past the ground,” he said.
“I have got a fair idea about what I have done in my life. You need to go and read another book and see what that one says because Wayne Bennett has never been near the Eels in his coaching career.
“I loved Jack Gibson and Ron Massey (former Eels coaches). They were big influences on my life and my coaching life but that doesn’t mean that is going to get me to the Eels.”
NRL360 co-host Paul Kent opined earlier this week that Bennett would take the Parramatta job over the Souths gig for next year if both positions became vacant.
Originally published as Wayne Bennett responds to Souths’ ‘tragedy’, takeover rumours
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