Wayne Bennett approached Gold Coast Titans with an offer to coach in 2020
Wayne Bennett has revealed he was rebuffed by the Gold Coast Titans when he approached the ailing franchise with an offer to become their head coach.
The Courier-Mail reports, Bennett reached out to Titans upper-management when it became apparent his time at the Broncos was up.
His offer to assume the role of head coach for $600,000-a-season starting from 2020, however, was rejected by club powerbrokers who instead opted to remain loyal to recently sacked Garth Brennan.
It was then that Bennett was snapped up by South Sydney in a move that has proved fruitful for the seven-time premiership winner.
Wayne Bennett AAP
“I did consider the Titans job,” Bennett told the Courier-Mail.
“The truth is I was genuinely interested in coaching them.
“I actually had a player manager make contact with them and another third-party with mutual ties called the Titans to let them know I was interested.
“I also made personal contact with one person at the Titans as well and told him I would coach them.
“The word that came back to me was they weren’t interested... simple as that.”
AAP
The revelation comes hot off the back of Brennan’s sacking by the Titans, having won just 12 matches across one-and-a-half seasons and last on the ladder.
Conjecture surrounding relocating the NRL stragglers to Brisbane in a bid to save the franchise has been rife since the notion was floated by Blues coach Brad Fittler.
"Why wouldn't the Gold Coast be the second Brisbane team? There's 4,000 people turn up to watch them each week. Let's not call it a success.
"They had a couple of good years at the start, without a doubt, and they played semi-finals. But it's far from a success."
Recent reports that process was already under way however were emphatically denied by club chairman Dennis Watt.
“For the benefit of Titans Members, fans and sponsors, here are the facts: We are the Gold Coast Titans, and that is how we will stay,” Watt said.
“We are not moving anywhere, nor are we changing our name or ownership.”
