The South Sydney Rabbitohs have reportedly got their man after agreeing a three-year deal to bring Wayne Bennett back to Redfern.
The Sydney Morning Herald first reported the news, with Bennett’s contract worth $3 million.
Although Bennett has not officially signed on, the report claims Rabbitohs powerbrokers will meet with the 74-year-old during Magic Round to seal the deal.
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Bennett will return to the club in 2025, four years after he first left to take up the role as the Dolphins’ inaugural head coach.
The deal reportedly includes performance bonuses aligned with South Sydney’s results on the field.
However, Souths officials are reluctant to celebrate Bennett’s homecoming given his history of 11th hour changes of mind, most notably when he left the Roosters hanging to switch to the Dragons in 2008.
Bennett is reportedly also keen on the Eels head coaching role if it becomes available, but Parramatta have so far backed Brad Arthur to turn things around amid an injury crisis.
Souths CEO Blake Solly led the negotiations and was one of several South Sydney officials to meet with Bennett earlier this week.
Souths’ part owner Russell Crowe was not at the meeting, but has in talks with Bennett throughout the courting process.
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Souths currently sit in last place on the NRL ladder two weeks after sacking former coach Jason Demetriou, who worked with Bennett as an assistant during his previous three-year tenure with the club from 2019 to 2021.
Bennett took Souths to two preliminary finals and a Grand Final, which Souths lost to the Panthers in his last game in charge at the club.
The Rabbitohs are expected to formally announce the deal after their meeting with Bennett during Magic Round.
Source Agencies
