Shane Richardson leaves South Sydney Rabbitohs due to coronavirus pandemic

Drew Darbyshire 26 Mar 2020 10:07 AM

South Sydney Rabbitohs football manager Shane Richardson has resigned from his position due to the financial crisis in the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian was due to end his 16-year spell with the Rabbitohs when his contract expired at the end of 2021, but he will depart early to help ease the financial strain on the club during the current situation.

Richardson said: “In times like these, leaders have to step forward and lead.

“When we were reviewing things with (chief executive) Blake [Solly] early in the week, it became very clear to me on Tuesday that I needed to step down.

“The cost of having me remain in the football department was one of our largest costs and as a club we need to cut the cloth to suit the suit.

“We have worked hard before this virus hit to ensure that we are in a great place in terms of succession planning.

“I honestly believe we have a stronger team in place now than when we won the premiership in 2014 and they can lead us into the future.

“We have, in my opinion, the best coach in the game in Wayne Bennett, and he and Jason Demetriou will be able to lead the players through this time.”

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