IT’S not official just yet but Anthony Seibold is reportedly the Brisbane Broncos’ next coach.

Peter Badel in the Courier-Mail broke the news on Tuesday night that the Broncos board had “voted unanimously” to rubber-stamp Seibold’s appointment from 2020 onwards — and that the move could be announced as soon as Wednesday morning.

Brisbane chief executive Paul White has been in intense negotiations for the past week with Seibold to replace current coach Wayne Bennett at the end of next season, setting in place a succession plan that the Broncos hope will lead to adding to their six premierships.

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Round 20

Badel wrote that White fronted the board on Tuesday to deliver the summation of a process that began in May, when Storm coach Craig Bellamy was sounded out about joining Brisbane.

However, Bellamy rejected the Broncos’ overtures to sign a new deal with Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Seibold’s stock was rising as he led the South Sydney Rabbitohs to the grand final qualifier in his first season as a first-grade head coach.

Darren Locker, one of Brisbane’s directors, denied that an immediate coach swap with the Rabbitohs between Bennett and Seibold is on the cards.

“Wayne’s contracted here next year, so that’s business as usual for us,” Lockyer said in the lead-up to the board meeting on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, club legend Glenn Lazarus believes Walters will be reluctant to apply for the Broncos coaching job again after missing out to Seibold.

Former Brisbane prop Lazarus believes it doesn’t mark Walters’ last chance to coach his beloved Broncos and hopes one day his good mate realises his dream. But Lazarus fears the former Broncos premiership-winning captain may not apply again for the top job at Red Hill after being sensationally snubbed.

“He would be disenchanted with the whole process,” Lazarus told AAP. “Wayne (Bennett) has never endorsed him.

“Ex-Broncos players at large have said Kevvie is the man for the job but no one seemed to listen in the Broncos hierarchy.

“Anthony appears to have all the right credentials but the Broncos have had someone sitting in their own backyard in Kevin and haven’t really given him the time of day which is very disappointing.”

Lazarus couldn’t understand why the Broncos seemed determined to sign Seibold once they missed out Bellamy in June, overlooking Brisbane favourite son Walters.

“My frustration over all this is why Kevin Walters has never been mentioned (as coach) — he lost a lot of blood, sweat and tears for this club,” he said. “He’s been mentored by the best, he has had coaching success. I think he would be ideal for the Broncos but it seemed once they missed out on Craig Bellamy they were going for Anthony Seibold.” Lazarus said.

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Lazarus said Walters would have been the man to inspire Brisbane after they “made up the numbers” in the 2018 finals.

The Broncos finished sixth on the ladder but suffered a shock opening elimination finals loss to St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium.

“I hope it is not (Walters’ last chance to coach Broncos) because I think he would help,” Lazarus said.

“Because Brisbane were very lucky to get into the eight this year. If Canberra or Wests Tigers didn’t stumble, Brisbane were going to be very close to missing the eight.

“I know Kevin has the Broncos’ DNA in him. I thought he would be a far better option.”