Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett has announced he will leave the Knights at the end of the NRL season. The 64-year-old dropped the bombshell to Knights officials and players this morning before the news was made public.
Bennett’s future in the Hunter Valley has been in doubt since former owner Nathan Tinkler relinquished control of the club earlier in the year.
Bennett was originally contracted to the Knights until the end of 2015, but his deal was re-negotiated when the NRL took over the running of the embattled club two months ago.
The super coach’s decision to exit shapes as a huge blow to the morale of Newcastle. Still reeling from the Tinkler ownership battle and career-ending neck injury to Alex McKinnon, the Knights are favourite to win this season’s wooden spoon.
Despite that, Bennett’s services will be in high demand. The possibility of a return to St George Illawarra, where he won the 2010 title, has already been mooted, with the Dragons still to appoint a new coach following the sacking of Steve Price in May.
Many Brisbane fans will hope Bennett also considers a return to Red Hill – the scene of six of his premierships. After the Broncos failed to make the finals last season, there is speculation current coach Anthony Griffin will be dumped if his side misses the play-offs again.
Speaking of his Newcastle departure, Bennett said it was a difficult decision to make. “First and foremost, I am not comfortable with the performance of the team over the three years and I take full responsibility for that,” he said. “While we have been faced with many challenges, the club is heading in the right direction and I have confidence in the structures now in place.”
