Brisbane CEO Paul White has confirmed a discussion with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy about replacing Wayne Bennett at the Broncos.
White said on Tuesday 68-year-old Bennett was told of the approach as the club looks to its NRL future beyond his contract, which runs until the of the 2019 campaign.
He said Bellamy was considering an offer to stay with the Storm, where he is only contracted until the end of this season.
“We have had a conversation with Craig Bellamy but at this point in time there are no negotiations taking place,” White said.
White was speaking after a report that Brisbane were ready to table a four-year deal worth more than $5 million for Bellamy to make a switch.
But Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said Bellamy has been presented with an offer to stay at the club he’s led since 2003.
He has coached Melbourne in 406 NRL games, highlighted by premierships in 2012 and 2017.
“Craig has a significant three-year deal on the table with us. That’s been there for a month,” Donaghy told NRL.com.
Bellamy started his NRL coaching career with the Broncos as an assistant under Bennett in 1998 before taking charge of Melbourne five years later.
Bennett will coach his 800th NRL game when the Broncos play Parramatta on Thursday night.