Pressure is increasing when Demetriou leaves the press conference abruptly.

The prospect of Jason Demetriou staying on as South Sydney’s coach looks increasingly remote after he stormed out of a 27-second press conference that featured 73 words of responses.

In an attempt to maintain his employment ahead of Saturday’s match against Cronulla, Demetriou answered only four questions during his weekly press conference before leaving suddenly.

Subsequently, Rabbitohs officials verified that they were not cognizant of any prearranged boycott by Demetriou, who provided no rationale for his precipitous departure.

After giving up last season and having a slow start this year, Demetriou has been under increasing pressure to keep his job, so far, defending both his club and his position.

However, the 48-year-old showed the world for the first time on Friday when he gave in to the pressure.

Demetriou answered none of the four questions directly with his meagre 73 words before making his way back inside the Maroubra base of the club.

Among those present was Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly, who recently had to refute rumors that Mal Meninga could take Demetriou’s post.

Given that Meninga is already Australia’s coach, the ARL Commission would need to approve that appointment.

Meninga is well-known for a brief 2001 interview in which he entered politics for a brief period of time before leaving the radio broadcast after just 28 seconds.

However, Demetriou’s performance in front of the cameras on Friday was noticeably less than that, as the Souths coach was obviously under pressure.

But since the club gave in to upheaval off the field late last year, which was the worst collapse in NRL history, the pressure has been increasing.

The Rabbitohs, who were atop the ladder after round 11 in 2023, have only won five of their last 20 games. They have also failed to make the finals.

In addition to Meninga, Bennett and backup Ben Hornby are among the other candidates to succeed Demetriou in the event of his death.