South Sydney have sacked coach Jason Demetriou following the club’s dismal start to the 2024 NRL season.
The Rabbitohs board convened twice on Tuesday, deferring a decision on Demetriou’s future until a second meeting in the evening, when chairman Nick Pappas could be looped in from London.
After that second meeting, third-year coach Demetriou was told he would be terminated after the side’s 1-6 start to 2024.
Newsletters: Our top sports news direct to your inbox. Subscribe now
The perennial heavyweights also crashed out of finals contention under Demetriou’s watch last year, losing seven of their last 10 games.
The decision came just 48 hours ahead of Thursday’s clash against reigning premiers Penrith.
Demetriou presided over training on Tuesday morning as the board mulled their options, and faced a media scrum as he left Heffron Park just after lunchtime — for the last time.
“It’s not easy but it is what it is,” Demetriou said before the decision had been made.
“It’s a big club, we’re not performing, so questions have to be asked. I understand that, I respect it.”
Assistants David Furner and Ben Hornby are waiting in the wings to take over in an interim capacity.
Considered a head coach in waiting, Hornby dodged reporters by leaving Heffron Park through a side exit shortly before Demetriou departed through the front door.
The Rabbitohs’ slow start to the year has come after they capitulated from finals contention last season by losing seven of their last 10 games.
Club legend and assistant coach Sam Burgess quit amid the downturn, dogged by claims he disagreed with what was described as preferential treatment given to star players by Demetriou.
This year, Demetriou survived swirling rumours about his job security prior to the club’s round-seven bye, guiding the Rabbitohs to a spirited 34-22 loss to high-flying Cronulla in the face of three mid-game injuries.
But similar composure eluded Souths in round eight as they were thrashed 54-20 by Melbourne on Anzac Day.