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BRISBANE - Wayne Bennett says he will continue to coach despite confirming today he will quit the Brisbane Broncos at the end of the 2008 National Rugby League season.
Bennett, who holds the record for most consecutive seasons coaching at a premiership rugby league club, told his players of his decision before training at Red Hill headquarters, where a swarm of media gathered this morning.
The 58-year-old has been at the helm of the Broncos since their inception in 1988, winning six premierships from six grand finals - in 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2006 and the 1997 Super League title.
"My time has come - not as a coach, but as the coach of the Broncos," Bennett said in a statement.
"The Broncos have always believed it is better for a player to leave a year too early than a year too late.
"I have always believed there should be no exception, even for the coach.
"I have had a wonderful career at the Broncos. In fact, it has been an unbelievable experience."
The Broncos board "reluctantly" accepted Bennett's request for an early release from his contract, which was to have ended after the 2009 season.
"My intention is to continue to coach - either in the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere. My time has not come to an end as a coach."
However, Bennett refused to speculate about his future beyond the Broncos.
"I am currently not in negotiations with any other club," he said.
"I am as committed to the Broncos as I have always been. I owe that not only to myself, but to the players, the staff and the fans.
"At this time my intention is to not make any further comment regarding my future as we at the Broncos have a season in front of us and as always I want the focus to be on the team."
Canberra coach Neil Henry is considered the early favourite to replace Bennett if a deal can be arranged to release him from the Raiders.
Whoever his successor is, he will have big boots to fill.
Entering his 21st season at the Broncos, Bennett has been one of the most successful coaches in the game's 100-year history, also guiding Queensland to four State of Origin series wins and Australia to test series victories.
His decision caught Broncos players by surprise.
"Wayne told us this morning," said Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt.
Boom forward Dave Taylor was one to express disappointment.
"I'd be happier if he was staying at the club," said Taylor, who recently extended his contract to the end of 2009.
The Broncos board released a statement saying it had accepted Bennett's resignation and reasoning for wanting to leave after the coming season.
"Wayne has always told us he would know when the time was right for him to exit the club and he advised us last night that he believed that time was at the end of the 2008 season," said Broncos chairman Darryl Somerville.
Bennett contacted Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen yesterday and asked for a meeting last night where he revealed his decision.
Both Cullen and Somerville said Bennett had made a magnificent contribution to the club.
"Wayne has presided over not over only six grand final wins from six appearances but also numerous other honours including minor premierships, pre-season and mid-week competitions and World Club Championships," Cullen said.
"But perhaps his greatest achievement was his leading role in building the club up from scratch to establish a very highly regarded sporting franchise, one that has few peers in the country."
WAYNE BENNETT'S COACHING CAREER
Age: 58
Coaching career:
Brisbane rugby league premiership
1976: Ipswich
1977-79: Brisbane Souths
1980-82: Brothers
1984-85: Brisbane Souths (premiers 1985)
NSWRL, ARL, Super League, NRL
1987: Canberra (grand finalist `87)
1988-2008: Brisbane Broncos (premiers 1992, 1993, 1997 (Super League), 1998, 2000, 2006)
Holds records for most wins by a first grade coach (337) and most consecutive seasons as coach of a premiership club (21st year in 2008)
NRL premiership record: 528 matches, 337 wins, 180 losses, 11 draws, winning percentage: 63.8 per cent
Record with Brisbane: 500 matches, 320 wins, 169 losses, 11 draws, winning percentage: 64.0 per cent
State of Origin: Queensland 22 matches - 1986-88, 1998 & 2001-03 (series wins in 1987, 1988, 1998, 2001.
Australia: 1998, 2004-05 (16 Tests)
Playing record:
Warwick (Toowoomba competition) 1970, All Whites Toowoomba 1971-72, Brisbane Brothers 1973-75, Ipswich 1976, Brisbane Souths 1977
Queensland: 7 matches 1971-73
Australia - 1971 New Zealand tour (played two minor matches)
- AAP
