Wayne Bennett phoned Lachlan Murdoch on Sunday, convincing the News Corporation boss he could turn around the struggling Broncos, paving the way for him to be announced as head coach of the Brisbane team on Monday.

The approval of Murdoch was all that was required for Bennett to return as coach of the Broncos in 2015, with the power to choose his own staff, following a series of secret meetings of the board of the Brisbane club. The directors reached a near unanimous view that the appointment of the seven-time premiership-winning coach is necessary to restore team mojo in a city the Broncos once dominated. Club directors have met without the knowledge of chief executive Paul White, who is a strong supporter of the incumbent coach, Anthony Griffin.

Bennett, after six years away from his family, was keen to return to Brisbane. The move required the agreement of News, which owns 67 per cent of the shares of the Broncos. Chairman Dennis Watt had the responsibility of seeking the approval of Murdoch, a long-term supporter of the club but Bennett’s phone call clinched the appointment. The Broncos directors believe Bennett can restore team culture, which they think has deteriorated since the 64-year-old left to coach St George Illawarra in 2009.

Three key Broncos players were sacked from Saturday’s match against the Warriors for a midweek, late-night drinking binge. The Broncos defeated the Warriors 28-22, ending a three-game losing streak. The club directors believe Griffin has been given all he has asked for during his three-year term yet the team has finished eighth and 12th the past two seasons. White almost snared Bennett in 2011 when he told the Dragons he was leaving.