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UPDATED: Jason Demetriou’s heartwarming message to the South Sydney playing group has been revealed after he was sacked as coach on Tuesday night.
The board decided his fate following two extraordinary board meetings on Tuesday, ending his tenure in the red and green.
It was initially expected that recently appointed senior assistant coach David Furner would be promoted into the role for the short-term, however the club have now confirmed Ben Hornby will be appointed as interim coach for the rest of 2024.
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Chief executive Blake Solly released a statement at 8pm to confirm the departure of Demetriou after a rollercoaster two years in charge of the cardinal and myrtle.
Later, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed the message Demetriou sent to all his players to break the news.
”Hey lads, just a quick note from me to let you know sadly I have been sacked,” Demetriou wrote. “Being your head coach has been an absolute privilege and being part of many of your professional journeys over the (five and a half) years has been a blessing.
“Watching you make your debuts, hit milestones and become young fathers are memories I will forever cherish. As your head coach and assistant coach I’m grateful for the memories on and off the field. The run to the 2022 final series and prelim alongside the pre-season and transition to Heffron in 2023 was a great highlight.
“That feeling in the change rooms that led us to the top of the NRL ladder less than a year ago was some of the greatest experiences of my career. I’m sure this team is destined for more of those memories.
“Blessings to you and your beautiful families. JD.”
Solly announced the news publicly on Tuesday evening.
“The board and management feel that now is the time to make a change to the leadership of our football program in terms of the head coaching role,” he said.
“There is no doubting Jason’s work ethic or his drive for success, but unfortunately that success has not been forthcoming over the past 12 months.
“We wish Jason, his wife Natalie and his daughters the very best of luck in the future and we thank him for his service to our club over the past five-and-a-half years.”
Dragons legend and premiership winner Hornby has been plying his trade for a number of years, coming through the lower grades at his former club before moving to the Rabbitohs a number of years ago to work under Wayne Bennett.
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According to Michael Chammas on 2GB’s Wide World Of Sports Radio, the club is divided over who would replace Demetriou on a permanent basis next year, with some factions pushing for Bennett to return and others seeking a fresh start.
Demetriou reiterated that he wanted to continue coaching after leaving Rabbitohs headquarters as he was fronted by a media pack.
Earlier on Tuesday, Demetriou was swarmed by media as his future hung in the balance.
“Trained well, looking forward to coming into training tomorrow,” he said.
“I’m prepping for tomorrow’s training and we’ll see how we go. It’s been a good day, the boys trained well. I’m alright, this is fun. I want to get on with coaching the footy team, that’s what I’m paid to do.
“It’s not easy, but it is what it is, it’s a big club, we’re not performing, so questions have to be asked, I understand that. I respect that … The boys have been outstanding, it’s never been an issue. They’re tight, they’re a tight group.
“We’re battling with injuries at the moment, we’ve got half the squad missing and they keep turning up and they’ll turn up on Thursday night as well.”
Souths kick off round nine with a Thursday night clash against the three-time reigning premiers Penrith.
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