Wayne Bennett has confirmed he has signed a three-year deal at South Sydney and will return to the NRL club next year to work with a side he insists can go places.
Dolphins coach Bennett, 74, told AAP on Tuesday morning he has unfinished business at the club he coached to two preliminary finals and a grand final from 2019-21.
Confirmation comes just hours after it was revealed Parramatta, who sacked Brad Arthur on Monday, had tried to lure Bennett for the past three weeks.
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“I am going back to Souths for three years,” Bennett said, having rejected the Eels’ clandestine pitch.
“I like the people there and I like the club and what it stands for.
“I know a number of the players. There is some good talent there and we can do something.
“I just want to get back there and I like that part of Sydney as well. It is easy to live there.”
When asked if he had unfinished business he said there “was in a way”.
He will take over a club that is currently in last place on the NRL ladder.
Bennett has always stated that success starts in the front office and he has a close relationship with CEO Blake Solly and chairman Nick Pappas.
“I have a good rapport with everybody there,” he said.
“I had a great three years there and I am looking forward to going back.”
The Rabbitohs confirmed Bennett’s return later on Tuesday morning.
“On behalf of the board of the Rabbitohs we look forward to welcoming Wayne back to the club, and to finishing off what we got so close to achieving in 2021,” chairman Nick Pappas said.
The club statement wished Bennett “the best of luck” for the rest of the 2024 season.
“Out of respect for him and his current club, the Dolphins, the Rabbitohs won’t make any further comment until he completes his duties with the Dolphins and resumes coaching at South Sydney,” it said.