South Sydney Rabbitohs Part Ways with Head Coach Jason Demetriou
In a surprising turn of events, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have reportedly parted ways with head coach Jason Demetriou, according to reports from Australia. The former Wakefield Trinity player has been under immense pressure during the early stages of the new NRL season, with the Rabbitohs managing just a single victory so far.
The Rabbitohs’ board held two separate meetings on Tuesday to determine Demetriou’s future as head coach, and it appears that his fate has been sealed, with the club set to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
“It’s not easy, but it is what it is, it’s a big club, we’re not performing, so questions have to be asked, I understand that.” – Jason Demetriou
When confronted by reporters after training on Tuesday, Demetriou acknowledged the situation, stating that the players have been “outstanding” and that the team has been dealing with a host of injury issues, with half the squad currently sidelined.
The Rabbitohs board initially met on Tuesday morning, which Demetriou admitted he was aware of, but then surprisingly agreed to a second board meeting later in the day, after the players and coaching staff had departed. It is believed that this second meeting is the one that ultimately led to Demetriou’s dismissal.
One potential successor to Demetriou could be former Leeds Rhinos coach David Furner, who was installed as an assistant to Demetriou only earlier this month. Furner may now find himself in interim charge for the Rabbitohs’ upcoming clash against the all-conquering NRL champions, the Penrith Panthers, on Thursday night.
As for Demetriou, his availability will undoubtedly lead to speculation about potential job opportunities, but it seems highly unlikely that he will be joining Hull FC at this stage. The Rabbitohs have also been heavily linked with a move for St Helens scrum-half Lewis Dodd for the 2025 season.
This sudden change in leadership at the Rabbitohs comes as the team continues to struggle in the early stages of the NRL season, and the club’s management will be hoping that a new direction can help turn their fortunes around.
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