South Sydney coach Paul Langmack was sacked by the National Rugby League club despite having another year to run on his contract.

The Rabbitohs installed Premier League coach Arthur Kitinas as caretaker for the remainder of the 2004 season after relieving Langmack of all his duties at the embattled club.

Langmack was contracted until the end of the 2005 season, but lost the faith of the Souths board after coaching the Rabbitohs to just two wins and a draw so far this year.

"The board of South Sydney met tonight and resolved that Paul Langmack be excused immediately from all his duties with the club as head coach," chairman Nick Pappas said.

"Paul's contract with the club gives the club the right to excuse him from providing his services and the board has resolved that it is in the best interests of the club, its players and supporters that this occur immediately."

Langmack is the first coach to be sacked this season but he may not be the last, with Parramatta's Brian Smith and New Zealand Warriors mentor Daniel Anderson also under pressure.

Under the 38-year-old, Souths won only five of 35 games and collected the wooden spoon in 2003.

The former premiership-winning player was also involved in a racial vilification case with one of his players - Owen Craigie - earlier this season.

They settled their differences in a private meeting.

The decision is a further sign of the growing influence of chairman Nick Pappas at the club.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP