Jason Demetriou doesn't believe the temptation of reuniting with Wayne Bennett for just one NRL season will be enough to lure Latrell Mitchell away from South Sydney.
Bennett, who will coach the Dolphins in their maiden NRL campaign next season, came out this week declaring an interest in Mitchell to join them in 2024.
The pair developed a close bond while Bennett was coach of Souths and is expected to step aside after the 2024 season and allow St Helens coach Kristian Woolf to take the reins at the new franchise.
Mitchell, though, is enjoying some of his best form under Demetriou this year having won six games from eight starts after returning from a mid-season trip to the US to rehabilitate his hamstring.
Crucially the 25-year-old has yet to re-sign with the Rabbitohs and will be able to speak to rival clubs from November 1 if he hasn't agreed terms with the Bunnies.
"Wayne's building a team and he can fancy who he wants," Demetriou said on Friday, ahead of Saturday's game against North Queensland.
"My job is to get the boys ready for 80 minutes this week and ultimately it's about making an environment where our players want to stay.
"I can't control Wayne or worry about what he's saying. He can make some noise up there.
"I haven't spoken to Latrell and he's contracted until the end of 2023.
"Going to work with Wayne for one year (in 2024) before Kristian takes over, I don't know if that's a carrot for anyone."
Demetriou has more pressing concerns ahead of a tough week which will have a huge bearing on Souths' hopes of finishing in the top eight.
The Rabbitohs could yet drop out of finals contention if they lose to the Cowboys on Saturday before next Friday's opening of the new Allianz Stadium against the Sydney Roosters.
"It is sudden death, because every two points are vital at the back end of the year," he said.
"We've got goals we set for each one block of four games and that's our main focus this week.
"We can't worry about whether the two points gets us into one position. We have got to make sure we're doing the things we need to do to get the two points in the 80 minutes."
Demetriou said winger Jaxson Paulo, who was subjected to death threats and has been given the week off after an error-riddled showing against Penrith, was in good spirits.
Paulo's spot has been taken by two-game rookie Izaac Thompson.
