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Incoming Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has opened up on the meeting with Canterbury chief executive Andrew Hill that had many mistakenly believing he was holding out for a job at the Bulldogs.
Holbrook, who agreed a contract with the Titans earlier this week that will guarantee him at least two years at the helm of the struggling club, was spotted in talks with Hill when the Bulldogs chief executive flew to England recently.
That meeting prompted speculation he was being sounded out over his interest in replacing Dean Pay at the helm of the Bulldogs, where he once served as NSW Cup coach.
Holbrook insisted there was nothing untoward in the conversation and said at no point was he given the indication that the Bulldogs were looking to change their coach.
“All it was was just a conversation,” Holbrook said.
“Hilly was over here for a number of reasons, I just had a chat to him. At no stage did he say look, we are looking to change coaches.
“It was just a conversation and he asked me about what I was doing as a coach and how we were going. All those general questions.
“It was probably more speculation than anything.”
Holbrook has compiled a remarkable 80 per cent winning record since moving to Super League, his efforts at St Helens catching the eye of the Gold Coast.
He will join the club once his commitments with St Helens are over, most likely at the end of October. He will need to hit the ground running as the Titans attempt to drag themselves out of the cellar and secure their future on the Gold Coast.
“It impacts on everyone when speculation is not good — I didn’t like it about myself and the clubs don’t like it, the Bulldogs wouldn’t have liked it and St Helens wouldn’t have liked it,” Holbrook said.
“But I also understand that things get out. Even myself, I found out on Monday [that I had the Titans job] and everyone seemed to find out on Monday.
“People seemed to think I knew for a week or two. It is a massive challenge that is for sure.
“It is just a great opportunity for me — I want to coach in the NRL and it has worked out well the Titans are looking for a new coach.
“They know themselves that they have to get it right. For me to get an opportunity to play a part in that is extremely exciting. I am also realistic.
“The Melbourne Storm and [Sydney] Roosters aren’t going to say how would you like to come and coach us because they are at the top of the comp.
“For me, if I was to get an opportunity, it was always going to be someone who wasn’t happy with how they were going.
“The Gold Coast with their junior nursery and the area and rugby league in general, it just has so many things going for it.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...s/news-story/911624cc3fcb2ad1e7b3d1c7354bd869
Holbrook, who agreed a contract with the Titans earlier this week that will guarantee him at least two years at the helm of the struggling club, was spotted in talks with Hill when the Bulldogs chief executive flew to England recently.
That meeting prompted speculation he was being sounded out over his interest in replacing Dean Pay at the helm of the Bulldogs, where he once served as NSW Cup coach.
Holbrook insisted there was nothing untoward in the conversation and said at no point was he given the indication that the Bulldogs were looking to change their coach.
“All it was was just a conversation,” Holbrook said.
“Hilly was over here for a number of reasons, I just had a chat to him. At no stage did he say look, we are looking to change coaches.
“It was just a conversation and he asked me about what I was doing as a coach and how we were going. All those general questions.
“It was probably more speculation than anything.”
Holbrook has compiled a remarkable 80 per cent winning record since moving to Super League, his efforts at St Helens catching the eye of the Gold Coast.
He will join the club once his commitments with St Helens are over, most likely at the end of October. He will need to hit the ground running as the Titans attempt to drag themselves out of the cellar and secure their future on the Gold Coast.
“It impacts on everyone when speculation is not good — I didn’t like it about myself and the clubs don’t like it, the Bulldogs wouldn’t have liked it and St Helens wouldn’t have liked it,” Holbrook said.
“But I also understand that things get out. Even myself, I found out on Monday [that I had the Titans job] and everyone seemed to find out on Monday.
“People seemed to think I knew for a week or two. It is a massive challenge that is for sure.
“It is just a great opportunity for me — I want to coach in the NRL and it has worked out well the Titans are looking for a new coach.
“They know themselves that they have to get it right. For me to get an opportunity to play a part in that is extremely exciting. I am also realistic.
“The Melbourne Storm and [Sydney] Roosters aren’t going to say how would you like to come and coach us because they are at the top of the comp.
“For me, if I was to get an opportunity, it was always going to be someone who wasn’t happy with how they were going.
“The Gold Coast with their junior nursery and the area and rugby league in general, it just has so many things going for it.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...s/news-story/911624cc3fcb2ad1e7b3d1c7354bd869
