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After weeks of deliberation and uncertainty over his future, the Broncos coach-in-waiting launched a scathing attack on Wayne Bennett yesterday, and revealed the emotional toll on his young family.
And in an email Seibold wrote to chief executive Blake Solly, obtained by The Sunday Telegraph, the embattled coach reveals he had been shut out of all key decision making for 2019.
He says he has been told twice by Solly and South Sydney football manager Shane Richardson that he would be coaching the Broncos in 2019, and that he had actually packed up and cleaned out his office at the Rabbitohs on Thursday afternoon.
“I have had a gutful,” he said, “I’ve been sitting here for four weeks and feeling like a punching bag.
“It’s not acceptable and it’s not fair.
“I told my wife and three daughters we’re leaving. We’ve told the kids twice we’re moving and then twice that we’re staying. They’ve been in tears. We’re trying to sort out their schools. It’s really taking its toll on them.”
In the email to Solly, it’s revealed Souths:
• Refused to allow Seibold to appoint an assistant coach to replace David Furner, thinking Bennett would bring his own. They still don’t have one.
• Abandoned an off-season training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport because Bennett had asked to do an Army camp instead.
• Had been dealing with Bennett on potential new signings and that winger Robert Jennings was no longer being paid because his contract had not been registered as a result of the coaching uncertainty.
Seibold also revealed Bennett had been ringing Souths players in recent weeks about his plans for next year. Seibold claims Bennett had already told fullback Alex Johnston he was moving to the wing if Greg Inglis wanted to play fullback.
“He’s been ringing up the Souths boys but then tells his press conference he hasn’t spoken to anyone,” Seibold said, “That’s absolute bull****.
“He’s rang Damien Cook, Alex Johnston, Sam Burgess. It’s all gone too far and has to be sorted out.”
As late as Thursday, Seibold was told by the Rabbitohs he would be swapping with Bennett.
It is why he has now blown up after watching Bennett’s backflip press conference on Friday.
“Shane Richardson and Blake Solly said they’re moving me to Brisbane,” he said.
“I’ve got all the text messages. Thursday week ago was the first time. During the week they told me Wayne had agreed to the swap.
“I’m sick of Wayne carrying on. I’ve bit my tongue and said nothing until now.
“Wayne has twice given his word to Shane Richardson that he’s coming. That’s what Richo told me.
“It was all going to be done by December 3. I had a camp planned for the AIS but Wayne wanted an Army camp. I challenged one of my staff members and he told me he’d been told not to pay the deposit with the AIS.”
Seibold says he is more than happy to remain at the Rabbitohs. He just wants transparency and Bennett to stop interfering if he’s not coming to Sydney.
“Not once have I gone to Souths and said I wanted to leave,” he said, “Not once. They’ll tell you that.
“I just want clarity and so do the players. I feel for the players at both clubs. It’s a joke.
“I’ve still got control with the coaching of the players which is important.
“But everything else has been taken out of my control. My complaint is not about Souths. It’s about Wayne... he’s playing games.
“I get the idea Souths want a swap and if they believe it’s the best thing, we’ve got to put the club first and it’s got to happen.
“I haven’t been involved in recruitment or retention for four weeks but if I’m here at Souths, I’m going to be judged the team’s performances and who we’ve got in the group.”
Despite reports to the contrary, he insists he has the full support of the playing group.
“We went from 12th to third last year because we had a great relationship and a fantastic group,” Seibold said.
“I wish I could show you all their text messages. They don’t deserve to be treated like this.”
