HE’S STAYING AT THE BRONCS

Coaching saga settled for now - Bennett to remain at Red Hill

WAYNE Bennett survives ... for now.

The besieged coach insists he can work harmoniously with Brisbane bosses after club hierarchy yesterday refused to sack him, clearing the super coach to call the shots at the Broncos next season.

The greatest coaching saga in Broncos history took another twist when Bennett emerged from a meeting with chairman Karl Morris with his 2019 contract still intact.

Bennett went to the meeting bracing for the prospect of a tense negotiation that would see Brisbane offer a compensation deal to complete an immediate straight swap with Souths counterpart Anthony Seibold.

But after just three minutes of talks in the Broncos gymnasium, Bennett lived to fight another day after Morris declared Brisbane hierarchy had no intention of sacking their only premiership coach.

The decision has major implications for the Rabbitohs.

A fortnight ago, Souths bosses contacted Brisbane to kickstart a straight swap, but Bennett has dug his heels in, leaving Seibold with the daunting task of averting a mutiny at Redfern next season.

Bennett has endured his own Cold War this season, clashing with Morris and CEO Paul White over his future, but the 68-year-old is adamant he can bury the hatchet as he eyes a premiership swan song.

“I don’t have a problem with management. I will get on with the job,” Bennett said.

“I will be coaching the Broncos in 2019.

“We talked through some issues.

“I asked Karl Morris what

“As far as I’m concerned, I’ll be at the Broncos” BRISBANE COACH WAYNE BENNETT

my position was in 2019 at the club and he reaffirmed that I was the coach for 2019 and that, in his view, nothing had changed.

“I won’t be sacked, I’ve been given that assurance by Karl.

“I’ve met with the chairman and we are now on the same page.

“I’ve always intended on honouring my contract and I’m glad this all has been sorted.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’ll be at the Broncos next season.”

Following the meeting, the Broncos released a statement, with Morris reiterating a position he first outlined on September 25, saying: “Wayne Bennett is our coach for 2019, as we have stated repeatedly over the past year.”

Well-placed sources do not share the Broncos’ and Bennett’s confidence, believing Rabbitohs powerbrokers will continue to explore the possibility of a straight swap in the coming weeks.

Influential Souths players are reportedly furious at Seibold and such sentiments could compel the Rabbitohs to ask Brisbane back to the negotiating table.

Bennett will not accept a cut-price severance package and will only leave Red Hill if he is formally sacked.

That would require a full payout of $900,000 from the Broncos.