Broncos CEO explains Bennett sacking done via voicemail
- Author
- Timestamp
When Brisbane CEO Paul White sacked Wayne Bennett, bringing down down the curtain on his 25-year career at the club, it was done via voicemail.
White told reporters of the call and his decision to sack coach Wayne Bennett with a year remaining on his contract ahead of a coach switch with South Sydney's Anthony Seibold with a heavy heart. He said it was "not ideal" and that he had wished to do so "face-to-face".
He said Bennett did not answer his phone call so he was forced to leave a voicemail message for the coach who had been at the helm of all the Broncos' six premierships.
"I made multiple phone calls and I unfortunately had to communicate that decision via voice message and over email," White said.
"You might ask was that disappointing? Yes it was. But such was the nature of this whole issue that it was important that we had it resolved, particularly before the players returned tomorrow. I wasn't in a position to speak to him directly."
NRL.com understands that Bennett did not ignore the calls but was not in a position to accept them. It is understood he had left his phone behind at home and was visiting family for several hours, only to return home and be told by his partner that he had been sacked.
Broncos sack Bennett
White, when asked to pinpoint what has led to the decision to sack Bennett, said the reasons would remain confidential but did say the club was unaware Bennett would be holding his press conference on Friday.
Bennett, just 48 hours earlier, had reiterated his position that he would be staying at the club when the Broncos had believed a coaching swap with Seibold was over the line.
"We were certainly disappointed with the way that played out," White said.
"Today's decision has certainly not been easy. It's a very tough decision, one we never saw coming. We no longer had faith that we could give ourselves the best chance of performing if we continued on the path we were continuing on."
White said the decision was made by himself and the Brisbane board, not the players. He said that with the full squad back for pre-season training on Monday a decision had to be made.
"Players need clarity and consistency," White said.
"We couldn't afford to go through another week of what we went through last week, let alone for the rest of the pre-season. We are doing conditioning at the moment and the full squad will start to return tomorrow. The decision today gives us the chance to move forward."
I made multiple phone calls and I unfortunately had to communicate that decision via voice message.
Paul White
White said he had not informed captain Darius Boyd of the decision before fronting a press-conference, but would do so.
"I think the reaction from the players will be very positive and I don't say that out of any disrespect to Wayne," he said.
"I think players require certainty and while today's announcement is unfortunate we have the ability to move forward."
White said there had been pressure over the last six months and a lot of focus on his relationship with Bennett.
"The course of events over the past week has led us to this point," he said.
"From a very personal point of view, it's extremely sad."
Broncos chairman Karl Morris had told Bennett eight days ago that he would be coach in 2019, but said he needed to revisit the issue in the ensuing days.
"Things obviously changed over the past week," he said.
"I'm satisfied the board and particularly Paul and in our relationship and discussions with Souths, that we couldn't have done any more than we what we did. I think we have been very respectful, not only to Wayne but to his legacy."
