Jason Demetriou’s elegant and heartfelt text message to his players has been revealed after the embattled coach was sacked as Souths coach on Tuesday night.
The club’s board met on Tuesday night and ultimately determined there was no option but to cut ties with the third-year coach after his bottom-placed Rabbitohs won just one of seven games to start the year. .
The Bunnies players will begin life after Demetriou on Wednesday, with interim coach Ben Hornby finalizing preparations for Thursday’s clash against Penrith.
Once Demetriou received the bad news, he sent a heartfelt message to the gaming group.
“Hi guys, just a quick note from me to let you know that I have unfortunately been laid off,” Demetriou wrote.
Jason Demetriou (pictured at training on Tuesday) sent a classy message to his players after the embattled coach was sacked as Souths coach on Tuesday night.
Demetriou said he has made memories with the team that he will always cherish.
‘Being his head coach has been an absolute privilege and being a part of many of his professional journeys over these five and a half years has been a blessing.
‘Watching them make their debut, reach milestones and become young parents are memories I will always cherish.
‘As a head coach and assistant coach, I am grateful for the memories on and off the field. The run to the 2022 finals and preliminary series along with the preseason and transition to Heffron in 2023 was a big highlight.
‘That feeling in the dressing room that took us to the top of the NRL ladder less than a year ago was one of the best experiences of my career. I’m sure this team is destined to have more of those memories.
‘Blessings to you and your beautiful families. JD’
Southern officials will immediately begin planning for 2025 and beyond as they search for a full-time successor.
Wayne Bennett looks the most attractive option, and chief executive Blake Solly confirmed the club will speak to him when he addressed the media on Wednesday morning.
The veteran coach will hand over the reins of the Dolphins at the end of this year and was always going to be a target for any club looking for a new coach.
Bennett worked with South Sydney in 2021, taking several of their current stars to the grand final.
Interim coach Ben Hornby will take over as coach for the remainder of the season (pictured Souths stars during their loss to Cronulla last month)
Souths are believed to be targeting Wayne Bennett to replace Demetriou (pictured with Jack Wighton at training on Tuesday)
There has also been speculation that the 74-year-old is an option for Parramatta next year, if the Eels end up parting ways with Brad Arthur after 11 seasons.
But by sacking Demetriou on Tuesday night after two separate board meetings in one day, the Souths have given themselves the first crack at Bennett if they so choose.
It was Bennett who initially backed Demetriou to be his successor at South Sydney, when the master coach left the club at the end of 2021.
Demetriou led the Rabbitohs to a preliminary final in 2022, and they topped the standings after 12 rounds last year.
But they have only won five of 21 games since then, missed last year’s final and now sit in last place after the first eight rounds of 2024.
“The board of directors and management feel that now is the time to make a change in the leadership of our football program in terms of the head coach role,” president Blake Solly said in a statement.
‘There’s no doubting Jason’s work ethic or drive for success, but unfortunately that success hasn’t come in the last 12 months.
Solly will appear before the media on Wednesday morning, where he will be asked if Bennett is a realistic option for the club.