Souths boss Russell Crowe gets his man as Wayne Bennett 'agrees to coach the Bunnies' - and he'll get a HUGE pay packet

Supercoach Wayne Bennett has reportedly agreed to return to Souths and rescue the cellar-dwelling club in a huge win for part-owner Russell Crowe.

The 74-year-old will return to the team next season after ending his previous three-year stint in charge of the Bunnies at the end of their 2021 campaign, which saw them make the grand final.

Bennett has agreed to terms on a three-year deal that will pay him a staggering $1million a season, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

He hasn't signed the contract but Rabbitohs representatives are in Queensland to finalise the deal with the current Dolphins coach, the publication reported.

Souths have refused to comment on the appointment.

The Bunnies sacked coach Jason Demetriou last month after he led the club to a shocking run of results dating back to the middle of last season.

After round 11 of that campaign, the Rabbitohs were sitting on top of the table - but they crashed out of finals contention after that and have only won a single game after 10 rounds this year.

Crowe is a huge fan of Bennett after his last stint at the club and the Hollywood star reportedly had several phone conversations with him after Demetriou was shown the door. 

The team is currently being coached by Demetriou's former assistant, Dragons great Ben Hornby.

Bennett has remained tight-lipped about his chances of returning to the Bunnies, snapping back when he was asked about the matter during a recent press conference.

He had been earmarked by ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys as a possible coach of an expansion team, with the NRL investigating expanding to a possible 20-team competition, with PNG, Perth and a second New Zealand team all candidates.