WAYNE Bennett has spoken out in advance of a media report that is expected to make claims about his personal life, with the Broncos coach revealing that he has separated from his wife.

Bennett released the statement on Saturday morning in anticipation of the media report. The 66-year-old coach has three adult children with his wife Trish, to whom he has been married 42 years.

“As an NRL head coach and thereby a public figure I today inform you about a personal matter and the fact I have separated from my wife and the family home some time ago,” the statement said.

“I will continue to appear publicly in my role at the Brisbane Broncos but at the same time ask that you respect my personal privacy and that of my family.”

The Courier Mail reported that Bennett left the home he shared with his wife six weeks ago.

Bennett has mostly been a fiercely private figure during his long career in rugby league, yet has given a number of interviews crediting Trish Bennett’s remarkable role in his success.

The seven-time premiership winning coach has spent significant time away from home during his career, especially during stints at the Dragons and Knights, while his wife acted as carer for their two disabled children, Katherine and Justin.

The latest chapter in Bennett’s career saw Brisbane lose a grand final rematch against the Cowboys to bow out of the 2016 NRL finals on Friday night.