SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Rabbitohs coach, Jason Demetriou speaks to the media following the round six NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium, on April 13, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Today, Tuesday, former Wakefield Trinity player Jason Demetriou was dismissed from his role as the coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Jason Demetriou, aged 48, had a playing career spanning from 2004 to 2010 with Wakefield Trinity, along with stints at Lancashire Lynx, Rochdale Hornets, Widnes Vikings, and Keighley Cougars. Transitioning to coaching, he led the Cougars from 2011 to 2012 before returning to Australia.

Following his time with the Queensland Cup side Northern Pride, Demetriou served as an assistant coach at various clubs including the North Queensland Cowboys, St George-Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos, and eventually the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He assumed the role of head coach at the Rabbitohs from the beginning of 2022.

Jason Demetriou, of Wakefield Trinity, attempts to evade Leeds Rhinos' Ryan Hall in February, 2009. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Jason Demetriou, of Wakefield Trinity, attempts to evade Leeds Rhinos’ Ryan Hall in February, 2009. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

South Sydney Rabbitohs currently sit at the bottom of the NRL table, having lost six out of their seven games this season. In an announcement regarding Jason Demetriou’s departure, the club stated that they have opted for a new coaching direction due to unsatisfactory results spanning the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Blake Solly, the chief executive, conveyed through the Rabbitohs’ website: “The board and management have decided that it is time to change the leadership of our football program, specifically the head coaching role. While Jason has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a desire for success, unfortunately, the desired results have not materialized over the past year. We extend our best wishes to Jason, his wife Natalie, and his daughters for their future endeavors, and we express gratitude for his service to our Club during the last five-and-a-half years.”

Ben Hornby has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. With Demetriou’s ties to the English game, it’s likely that he will be linked to coaching vacancies in the Super League in the future.