SOUTH Sydney have confirmed the appointment of seven-time premiership winning coach Wayne Bennett from the 2020 NRL season.

Bennett will join the Rabbitohs on a two-year deal until the end of 2021 and appears to have been involved in a coaching swap with Anthony Seibold who is reportedly the frontrunner to take over at the Broncos.

The Rabbitohs didn’t make mention whether Bennett could join the club from 2019, however multiple reports on Thursday suggested an immediate move could happen.

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“I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Bennett said.

“Souths is one of the iconic clubs in the game. I didn’t think I would get this opportunity, but that opportunity has now come for 2020 and 2021.

“I’m really grateful for the chance to be part of the club and I’m looking forward to being part of the Rabbitoh way.”

Bennett was recently told his contract at the Broncos will not be extended beyond the 2019 season.

The Broncos put a three-man selection panel together including CEO Paul White, chairman Karl Morris and director Darren Lockyer and have now made Seibold their preferred option.

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The Rabbitohs had an offer sitting on the table for Seibold, but it was pulled after the 2018 Dally M coach of the year stalled on signing the extension.

Anthony Seibold is set to get the Broncos job. Source: AAP

Bennett is one of the greatest rugby league coaches of all time, with over 500 wins and seven titles to his name.

The 68-year-old is currently on tour with the England team for their Test series against New Zealand.

Rabbitohs general manager Shane Richardson was thrilled with the appointment.

“Wayne is one of the best, if the not the best, rugby league coaches of all time and we are excited to see what he can bring to our club,” Richardson said.

“His football record is second-to-none and his reputation as a leader is also of the highest order.

“Here he will have the opportunity to work with some of the best senior and up-and-coming talent in the game, which from our discussions over the past few weeks I know he is excited about.

“He will also have the opportunity to work as a head coach with a strong coaching, football and administration staff around him that are all pushing in the one direction, the Rabbitoh way.

Wayne Bennett has been linked to the Rabbitohs. Photographer: Liam Kidston. Source: News Corp Australia

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“Anthony (Seibold) has done a great job at our club over the past two years however his hesitance to extend his contract with us, an offer which has been on the table since June, led the club to explore other options.

“We’re looking forward to Wayne becoming a Rabbitoh in 12 months’ time and we wish him the best of luck with the England team in their current Test series with the Kiwis.

“Now we can look forward to Season 2019 with the aim of improving our performance on the 2018 season.”

Only on Wednesday, current Rabbitohs assistant coach David Furner was linked to the top job at the Rabbitohs despite signing a three-year deal with Leeds from next season.

Furner said he intended to honour the contract after already starting to helping sign the likes of NRL talent Konrad Hurrell and Tuimoala Lolohea.

“Since the appointment I have been looking forward to starting my relationship again with Leeds Rhinos, the staff and the fans,” Furner said.

“I don’t want to give fuel to any speculation and I just want to say I am booked, I am coming to Leeds on 5th November and I can’t wait to get started.

“I am looking forward to getting over to Leeds and meeting the current squad so I can start to build my relationship with those players. I am excited about Konrad and Tui coming over. Having spoken to both players they are very excited about playing at Emerald Headingley for Leeds. It has been very busy for the last four weeks, meeting with players and their managers as well as getting ready to move to England.”