Wayne Bennett says he will consider coaching another NRL club if he’s replaced by Craig Bellamy at Brisbane.
Brisbane CEO Paul White has confirmed a discussion with Melbourne coach Bellamy about taking replacing 68-year-old Bennett as the club looks to its future beyond his contract, which runs until the of the 2019 campaign.
Bennett said on Wednesday he had initiated the discussions with the club about his future and was aware of the approach to Bellamy.
However, he said he would not let his age define him if the Broncos did not want to retain him and would likely consider other offers.
Bellamy is only contracted to the Storm until the end of this season but Bennett categorically ruled out sharing the job with him next season, saying he expected to see out his contract.
White and Bennett fronted the media on Wednesday after a report that Brisbane were ready to table a four-year deal worth more than $5 million for Bellamy to make a switch.
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.