Speculation that Wayne Bennett may be headed to Parramatta has been dismissed by the Brisbane coach.
Bennett has shot down a Nine Network report claiming the Eels have approached the seven-time premiership winning coach about a move for 2019 as they conduct a club review of their woeful season.
Bennett last month revealed two NRL clubs had approached him – including one from Sydney – when he confirmed he wanted to keep coaching after his current deal at Brisbane expired at the end of 2019.
But that Sydney club isn’t the Eels, according to the master coach.
Asked if he had been approached by Parramatta, Bennett said: “It just gets crazier.
“I’ve got nothing to add to it, I don’t know anything about it.”
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is under pressure with the Eels slumping to a 3-12 tally after a 42-24 loss to South Sydney on Thursday night.
Bennett may soon be looking for a new club with Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy still to decide whether he will take over the Broncos reins.
Asked if he would be open to a move to Parramatta, Bennett said: “I’m here next year so I’m not open to that”.
The last-placed Eels slumped to their 12th loss of the season with a second-half meltdown against a rampant South Sydney.
It was one of their biggest defeats of the season and has heaped more pressure on Arthur to find a way to lift his team out of the NRL cellar.
Brisbane had reportedly approached South Sydney’s Anthony Seibold as they sweat on Bellamy but the Rabbitohs mentor said on Thursday night he wasn’t going anywhere after their seventh straight win.
“I can understand the speculation. I’m from Queensland but I’m in my first year and I’ve been coaching for 15 games or whatever it is now,” Seibold said.
“I love the Bunnies. I’ve got another year on my contract here and the club’s started negotiations to extend my contract.”