SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire looks on during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session at Redfern Oval on March 3, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have extended the contract of Head Coach Michael Maguire until at least the end of the 2019 season today.

Coach Maguire has developed into one of the game’s leading coaches, having won premierships in the NRL and Super League over the past seven seasons with the Rabbitohs and Wigan, as well as being part of the successful Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders clubs as coach and player.

Along with the NRL Premiership, World Club Champions trophy and Auckland Nines trophy that he has led the Club to winning since he joined the Rabbitohs for the 2012 season, Coach Maguire is also a member of the NRL’s Competition Committee which he has been a part of since November 2015.

This extension will see Coach Maguire extend his tenure as coach of the Club to eight seasons, equal with the legendary Jack Rayner who coached the Club for eight seasons, and behind only Charlie Lynch who served the Club as coach for 11 seasons, as well as ‘The Little Master’ Clive Churchill who was coach for ten seasons.

Rabbitohs General Manager of Football Shane Richardson is excited to see Coach Maguire extend his tenure with the Club.

“Michael has enjoyed great success as a coach including leading our team to the 2014 NRL Premiership, and we’re certain that he is the man to lead the team back to the top,” Mr Richardson said.

“The Club has been working hard to sign our elite player group for the long term to create stability and Michael’s signing gives us a great leader to take this group of young men to the top.

“He’s a fantastic manager of people, has a sharp football brain, is a great family man, and we know he is the best coach to take South Sydney forward.”

Coach Maguire is pleased to have his future sorted out for at least the next three years.

“I’ve loved every minute of coaching this side and being part of this Club. I believe in this playing group and I believe in this organisation,” Coach Maguire said.

“Everyone at this Club knows what it takes to be successful, everyone knows the hard work that's in front of them and everyone is hungry to achieve success, and that’s something we’ve built up over the past five years.

“We all want to return to the top end of the ladder and we’re dedicated to achieving that this season and into the future.

“I have a committed group of players, coaches and support staff that are prepared to work harder than ever before to achieve the results we want to achieve.

“We have great relationships with Souths Juniors and the North Sydney Bears in creating the pathways we need to keep this Club successful in the coming seasons.

“I really enjoy seeing the way the Club and the team connect with our community and seeing how proud people are of our team. Being able to put something back into the community and put smiles on people’s faces is something very special.

“We also have a great connection with our corporate partners, and most importantly our Members, who ride this wave with us each and every season.

“I’m very grateful for the commitment that everyone makes to this Club and I can’t wait to see what we can all achieve together over the coming years.

“My family and I couldn’t be happier to know that we are staying here at this Club which has become our home.”

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