WAYNE Bennett hasn’t ruled out working with Panthers supremo Phil Gould and insists he will not “lie” to himself over the right time to retire as an NRL coach.

While insisting his preference is to remain at the Broncos beyond the expiry of his current deal in 2019, Bennett says he has great respect for Gould and shares similar philosophies on the game.

Bennett and Gould’s ties were strengthened last week as judges on the panel which selected five more Immortals.

media_camera Bennett’s no-nonsense approach could work with Gould. (AAP Image/Darren England)

There is a view the pair are too big in personality and ego to work harmoniously but Bennett lauded Gould’s knowledge of rugby league.

Speculation is rife Gould, the Panthers’ general manager of football, has informally sounded out Bennett, although Wests Tigers’ Ivan Cleary is emerging as a frontrunner to return to the Penrith club that once sacked him.

“I’ve had many meetings with Phil over the years. It’s good. I enjoy his company,” Bennett replied when asked about their relationship.

“He’s got a great football head on him and we are not poles apart in the way we feel about the game and the way the game should be played.

“We were competitors for a long time, and that goes with the territory, but we’ve both moved on from there.”

Asked if he could work alongside Gould, Bennett: “It is not an issue, so let’s get through to October and we’ll see what happens after that.”

media_camera The pair have put a history of competition behind them.

Bennett insists he has not been approached by the Panthers.

“The way you guys are going at the moment I am coaching Penrith on Monday, the Broncos on Tuesday, Wests Tigers on Wednesday and probably the Titans on Thursday, so I’ve only got one day off now and that’s Friday,” Bennett said with a smirk.

On a day in which Melbourne champion Billy Slater announced his retirement, Bennett vowed not to go on a year too long.

'I'm here to defend myself' 'I'm here to defend myself'

“No one is going to be more honest with themselves than I have got to be,” Bennett said.

“I have a huge responsibility as a coach for a whole lot of things within a club. I have never lied to myself, so I am not going to start now. I feel I know how long I can go on for.

“I am not going to stay a year too long. I am going to be like Billy Slater and go out at the top of my game, but it’s not now.

“I want to be at the Broncos. I want to continue to coach. Everyone knows that, so let’s see where it all goes.”

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