Anthony Seibold's stint as Brisbane Broncos coach is officially over. Seibold fronted a press conference at the team's Red Hill base on Wednesday, confirming he would depart the post after first signalling his intent to exit the club late last week. Seibold's position had virtually become untenable with the club having won just one game since the NRL resumed from its COVID-19 suspension in late May. He had spoken with the Broncos playing group earlier Wednesday, before telling the media in attendance that the determining factor in his decision had been the welfare of his family. Seibold had been outside the Broncos' COVID-safe bubble for a fortnight, having returned to Sydney to attend to a family matter. "I think the final straw was hopping back on the plane from Sydney, when I wanted to be with my daughter," Seibold said. "It was an emotional morning. I'm not afraid to say that I cried in front of the players, because I care about them a lot. "It was ultimately my decision." In a statement released by the club before the press conference, Seibold explained his departure. "Last week, I made the decision to finish my tenure as coach of the Brisbane Broncos. Today, I am announcing that I will be stepping down from the role immediately,'' the statement read. "I was honoured to be appointed Brisbane Broncos coach at the end of 2018. This was the club where I started my rugby league journey as a young man and it's a club that I have always admired. "For many reasons, my time at the Broncos did not work out as we had all hoped. But that's sport. We love sport because it's full of uncertainty. And rugby league seems to throw up uncertainty better than any sport I know. "People ask me if there are things I'd change about the last two seasons. None of that matters right now. "I gave it my best at the Broncos and I am responsible for where we currently are. Head coaches know that there is no finger-pointing and no deflection of blame when a club struggles. "These events haven't dampened my enthusiasm for coaching or wanting to help others achieve. In fact, they have made me more determined. Head coaching in the NRL isn't for the faint of heart. I know that. And I know that I'll be a better coach, a better leader and a better person for all that I have learnt over these last three seasons at South Sydney and Brisbane. "I have very much appreciated the messages of support from many people over the last two weeks. I want to thank them, and I want to let them know that I'm doing OK. Seibold was just two seasons into a five-year contract after joining the club as the replacement for Wayne Bennett, who then lobbed at South Sydney in what turned out to be a virtual coaching swap. Seibold took the Broncos to the finals last year, when they were promptly smashed by a rampant Parramatta side, before things turned ugly in 2020 with the club registering just three wins all year. Broncos great and current Queensland coach Kevin Walters, and former Cowboys boss Paul Green, are the leading contenders to replace Seibold from next year while assistant Peter Gentle will take charge for the remaining five games of 2020.
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