Phil Gould’s denials of discussions with the Bulldogs’ potential coach have led to rumors that Blues coach Brad Fittler has already agreed to accept the job.
Gould revealed that he has not considered the appointment of the next Bulldogs coach and has denied field offers or talks with potential coaches about the position.
However, Paul Kent believes that Gould has contradicted the comments he made after the dismissal of Trent Barrett, which means that he probably has a candidate in mind or at least has spoken to possible successors. of Barrett.
Play all matches of each round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season live and without advertising during the game in Kayo. Are we in Kayo? Try 14 days free now.
“The day he fired Trent Barrett he said the phone was ringing hot, so I don’t know what’s going on there,” Kent told NRL 360.
“We all know that Shane Flanagan has shown interest in the job and wants the job. Apparently, Cameron Ciraldo has expressed his lack of interest in the job, so there seems to have been feelings.
“The other thing is that he said he wants a coach in September. So we’re waiting for Brad Fittler to end his engagements with Origin before deciding who can be working in Canterbury? Or will they wait until the last week of September? to make a decision then?
“Why wouldn’t you be out there now as part of your job description basically starting to eliminate candidates and who is available? Who is ready? Who is suitable for the job? Who is not suitable for the job? ”
MORE NEWS NRL
‘DID THE HAND BRAKE BE THROWN?’ Haas’s talks were delayed amid claims by the Broncos
WHISPER: Munster leaves a big clue about the future of the storm, the dolphins will be ready to land the star of Eels
TEAMS: Roosters reorganize bottom line, new Panthers-looking team in the midst of the Exodus of Origin
“WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT”: Gould claims that “no one has applied” for the Bulldogs’ job
Phil Gould denies talking to anyone about the Bulldogs coaching position. Source: The Daily Telegraph
Paul Crawley doubts that Gould would have overseen Barrett’s departure without having at least one successor in mind.
“It’s hard to believe a word that comes out of his mouth because he said that and today he said there were no calls,” Crawley said.
“We’re two weeks away.”
Braith Anasta believes Gould’s denials have intensified speculation that Fittler could take the job.
“He has left this conspiracy for Freddy open due to the lack of conversation or noise around the coaches,” Anasta said.
Kent explained that both Fittler’s and Gould’s comments on the position make it more plausible that the Blues coach will take over after the Origin series.
Get all the latest NRL news, news, and analysis right in your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now !!
Brad Fittler has denied interest in the Bulldogs’ position. Source: Getty Images
“It makes sense if Brad Fittler has already talked about this,” Kent said.
“This would be a private conversation between Gould and Fittler.
“Fittler has told people in the game that he is interested in training in the NRL again one day.
“But when he was told he was coaching Canterbury specifically, he came back with, I have a job on Channel 9 and I have a job with the Blues and that’s it.
“I wouldn’t talk beyond this period, so are we waiting until the end of the Origin period before this becomes the conversation? In the past it has often been played like this.”
Dave Riccio believes the Tigers are picking up a sheet from the Bulldogs’ book to get an answer from their next coach before making a call to Michael Maguire.
“I think the Tigers are learning from what the Bulldogs are doing here,” Riccio said.
“I don’t think the Tigers cheer on Madge until they have their answer, knowing the Bulldogs don’t have theirs.”
Kenty reacts to Haas statement from the Broncos 07:19
Kent noted that Gould has no track record of firing coaches without a substitute in mind.
“You don’t get rid of a coach unless you know who you’re going to replace him with,” Kent said.
“Phil Gould has never gotten rid of a coach in his life and has never had anyone in his head.
“When he first got rid of Ivan Cleary, he went out and caught Anthony Griffin. He didn’t do a job interview.
“He went to talk to Anthony Griffin and he liked what he felt and gave him the job. Then he fired him. That’s how it works.”
Crawley believes Gould has a coach in sight, but warned that delaying his appointment will make it very difficult for the Bulldogs’ hiring department as the team continues to struggle.
“He’s clearly not a silly man and if he lets Trent Barrett out the door, he clearly has another option in mind and he should be confident that this person will get it,” Crawley said.
‘The old handbrake’: Haas goes back | 07:57
“But it’s so critical for Canterbury fans and their members to see what’s going on right now.
“Josh Addo-Carr has just been left out of NSW because he plays the Bulldogs. That’s what happened. Matt Burton wasn’t in the conversation because he plays the Bulldogs.
“So from a Canterbury recruitment perspective and Gus talks about having all that money available in 2024, which midfielder or future midfielder would like to go to the Bulldogs knowing it could be the end of his career. if you go there? ”
However, Anasta believes that the representative players would like to play Fittler after having a partnership with him at the Origin level.
“If Freddy is there, they could go,” Anasta said.
Crawley also questioned reports linking Maguire to the Bulldogs’ position, believing it would be a hard-to-swallow pill for long-suffering Canterbury fans.
“How could that be?” Crawley said when asked if there was substance to the rumors.
“You have a team that ranks 16th in Canterbury and has just gotten rid of Trent Barrett.
“And then to try to sell you want to recruit the coach of the 15th ranked team and their coach is coming out the door.
“When Maguire has been there for four years and the team has shown no signs of improving, I don’t know how this can be sold to Canterbury fans.”