After Wayne Bennett was sacked via voice message, Anthony Seibold has revealed he also discovered his NRL fate when he checked his phone after going to the movies with his kids.
Seibold was finally unveiled as Brisbane coach on Monday after enduring a month-long saga that at one stage must have played out like a horror movie for the ex-South Sydney mentor.
So it seemed somewhat fitting that Seibold learned he would be taking over from Bennett at Red Hill in 2019 as he left the cinema with his children on Sunday.
"Being here this morning is quite unexpected," said Seibold, who will take up a five-year Broncos deal.
"I was at the movies watching The Grinch yesterday afternoon with the kids and had some phone calls come through.
"I thought potentially on Friday I would be here but I was told it wasn't going to be the case ... but I am happy to be here.
"There is a sense of relief because of the circumstances that have followed myself and Wayne over the last couple of months but that has been put to bed now."
Seibold spent the rest of Sunday afternoon on the phone after leaving the movies, ringing around South Sydney players to let them know he was leaving - for good this time.
Seibold had reportedly told Rabbitohs players he was leaving on Friday morning just moments before Bennett delivered a curve ball.
Seibold was left fuming after Bennett called a snap Friday press conference to announce he would remain at Brisbane in 2019 despite both clubs thrashing out a deal to swap coaches.
"I spoke to all the (South Sydney) players last night on the phone. I had a really positive working relationship with the players," Seibold said.
"I've got a transparent relationship with the players. They are tough phone calls when you are saying goodbye to people but I am excited about this next challenge."
Seibold wasn't as chatty about Bennett on Monday.
Bennett was sensationally sacked via phone message on Sunday for breach of contract after the Broncos discovered the seven-time premiership coach had contacted South Sydney players and organised a 2019 pre-season Rabbitohs camp.
Seibold told News Corp Australia on Sunday he "had a gutful" of Bennett's antics but refused to have a shot at the master coach as he settled into his new role.
"I am not prepared to talk about that," he said.
"I want positivity for this group that we've got here and for the players and club at South Sydney.
"I've had my say and I am not going to talk about it any further. It is a new beginning today."
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