South Sydney bosses have come under fire from Jason Demetriou’s management for the “extremely callous” way they sacked the embattled coach, as the chief executive revealed the final nail in his coffin.
The 48-year-old was sacked with immediate effect after two board meetings on Tuesday with the Bunnies sitting at the bottom of the ladder amid a shocking run stretching back to the middle of last season.
Demetriou’s agent, Chris Orr, believes his client has been treated very poorly by the club, which held its first meeting at 8am, followed by the decisive meeting at 5pm Sydney time.
“It was a long day,” Orr said.
‘To be honest, it wasn’t fair to have your head coach waiting all day only to be fired.
Jason Demetriou’s management have criticized Souths for the “extremely cruel” way they sacked the embattled coach (pictured)
Chief executive Blake Solly (pictured speaking to the media on Wednesday) admitted the club’s heavy defeat to Melbourne last Thursday was the final straw for Demetriou.
‘Coaches are human beings with families and I thought the South Sydney process was extremely cruel.
“I feel like they messed up… or they messed up last year when they improved it and extended it for two more years.”
Demetriou had survived rumors about his job security by leading the Rabbitohs to a spirited 34-22 loss to Cronulla in their final game before the round seven break.
But Souths hit a new low in round eight, conceding the most points in any game of Demetriou’s tenure when they were thrashed 54-20 by Melbourne.
Chief executive Blake Solly admitted the performance in Melbourne was the last straw.
“Our view that that match was indicative of an inability to turn the situation around and that we needed to make a quick decision,” Solly said on Wednesday.
‘Unfortunately, we didn’t think Jason’s coaching style would be able to bring about the change we needed or the improvement we needed.
“Given that we are 17th in the table and our four-and-against is 50 points worse than 16th, I think now is the time to make a change.”
Solly dismissed the claim that Demetriou had been mistreated
Solly also dismissed the idea that Demetriou had been mistreated during the trial.
“Jason spent three years here as an assistant coach and was appointed to succeed Wayne early in his tenure as assistant,” Solly said.
“The club gave Jason every opportunity to succeed and for half of that period he succeeded. But the results of the last 12 months have not been good enough for a club of our size and, although there is no criticism of Jason doesn’t even care how hard he works, the last 20 games speak for themselves.
“I think it’s unfair for his agent to say he’s been treated poorly in the context of a year of patience and support. And I’m not sure Jason shares that view.
