https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/gold-c...il-gould/5cb68ebc-ea6c-4ca3-9ff4-190bb0c4f407
Phil Gould's warning over Walters, Holbrook after Titans coaching decision
By
Tim Elbra
3 hours ago
Titans call bad news for Walters: Gus
Kevin Walters will struggle to ever get an NRL coaching job after missing out on the Gold Coast Titans role, legendary coach Phil Gould says.
Gould also branded the appointment of Justin Holbrook a "huge, huge gamble", given that the current Super League mentor has never been an NRL head coach and the Titans are fighting for survival.
"Big ask for Holbrook. I knew Justin Holbrook back in the day: he had his last year playing for the Roosters, when I was the coaching director there. Lovely kid," Gould said on
100% Footy.
"He's had good success in the lower grade football, coaching at various clubs. He's gone across to St Helens, he's got a good winning percentage; he hasn't won any premierships or competitions yet. He's very highly regarded over there.
"But this is a massive ask. For a rookie coach who's never coached in the NRL, to go to the Gold Coast, where nothing works, and sell the game to sponsors, to corporates, to people, to fans.
"At least Kevvie's a Queenslander, and he's got that drawing power."
Queensland coach Kevin Walters. (AAP)
Walters repeatedly distanced himself from the Titans job, insisting that he would remain Queensland State of Origin coach and a Fox Sports commentator.
However, it's been reported that he wanted to be approached outright to become Gold Coast coach, rather than going through an interview process; having been burned by such a process at Brisbane last year when he lost out Anthony Seibold. His strong relationship with Mal Meninga, the Titans' head of performance and culture, was touted as another reason that Walters may get the Gold Coast job.
