South Sydney boss John Lee has left Redfern to take up the top job at NRL arch-rivals Sydney Roosters, according to reports.

Lee takes over from the much respected Brian Canavan who left Bondi to move to Gold Coast Titans last month.

Lee’s future at the Rabbitohs had been the source of much speculation since former chief executive Shane Richardson returned to Souths from the NRL last month to fill the role of the general manager of football.