Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Ivan Henjak (Broncos) and Neil Henry (Cowboys) are under pressure to keep their coaching jobs after disappointing seasons and both clubs will conduct major off-season reviews.

With Bennett yet to commit to St George Illawarra beyond next season, the way is open for the famous Queensland grandfather to come home.

The Broncos yesterday stopped short of ruling out the prospect of the return of the master coach in 2012.

In the capacity of coaching co-ordinator, Bennett could help guide current club captain Darren Lockyer into the next phase of his career as a coach.

Henjak, Bennett's successor at the Broncos, is under mounting pressure to keep his job, with Brisbane failing to make the NRL finals this year for the first time since 1991.

There also has been speculation of a rift between Henjak and some players who reportedly have not warmed to his approach to man management.

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said it was too far ahead to speculate about the possible return of Bennett in 2012.

He said it was not part of the club's current plans and as he was standing down as CEO on December 31 it was something for his successor to deal with.

"I wouldn't say never, never when it comes to Wayne possibly returning to the club one day," Cullen said.

"He might be great for a new coach, in particular. If people asked about it, we would discuss it . . . But no one has raised the matter and it's not part of our forward thinking."

Bennett had one year left on his contract with the Broncos when he quit at the end of 2008 and took on the St George Illawarra job and it is believed he was also offered a two-year extension.

His wife Trish still lives in Brisbane and the couple have bought an apartment in the city for the day Wayne returns from Wollongong, his Dragons coaching base.

An overseeing role would possibly suit Bennett more than a hands-on role in his 60s, with most clubs looking at employing multi-tiered coaching structures.

The Cowboys finished 2010 with fewer wins than any other club and there has been a major clean-out of the playing ranks, with 14 players leaving.

Henry's position is safe in the short term but the board's decision to demote chief executive Peter Parr to the role of football manager may have diluted his power.

The move also emphasises the desire for change at the underperfroming Townsville club.

It is believed the club has discussed a fresh approach to Bennett, who was keen to coach them after parting ways with the Broncos but this was denied by Cowboys chairman Laurence Lancini last night.

"That is a dead issue," Lancini said. "That all happened two or three years ago."

One of the big impediments to Bennett's return to the Broncos is the anger he still feels towards some of the club's powerbrokers over the circumstances of his departure.

Likewise there are key people at the Broncos who are still not happy with the way Bennett has portrayed his departure.

"The thing people have to remember is that Wayne left of his own accord," Cullen said.