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The Canterbury Bulldogs have made an audacious bid to sign old super coach Phil Gould.
One of the game’s most experienced player managers is acting behind the scenes as the negotiator and deal-maker between the Bulldogs and the Channel 9 commentator.
Gould, 62, is employed by the Warriors as a highly paid consultant to set up pathways in New Zealand similar to what he delivered for the Penrith Panthers.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Warriors have already been approached about releasing the two-time premiership winning coach.
They are looking at the request favourably because Covid has prevented Gould from doing the job at full capacity by regularly travelling to New Zealand.
Gould’s role at the Bulldogs would be as a general manager or director of football.
The club is cashed up with the backing of its Leagues Club and the corporate support of the Laundy family.
It is a position that hasn’t been filled at Belmore since the sacking of club legend Steve Price at the beginning of the year.
Despite the appointment of Trent Barrett, the Bulldogs have struggled since the beginning of the year and are long odds on favourites to win the wooden spoon.
Their situation will improve next year with the arrival of rising superstar Matt Burton from Penrith and Blues Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr from Melbourne Storm.
However, the Bulldogs board now believes the only way forward is via a major rebuild from grassroots development to the NRL squad, exactly as Gould did for the Panthers.
Penrith is now reaping the benefits of Gould’s infamous five-year-plan.
It would cost the Bulldogs around the $700,000-a-season mark to sign Gould.
His profile would however attract sponsors but more importantly good players.
Much was made of the appointment of legendary All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last year as a high-performance consultant.
However, because of Covid, his input has been restricted to Zoom meetings.
Barrett is desperately keen for Gould to come on board.
The pair are close friends and have often spoken about working together.
It was Gould who originally hired Barrett to work on the Panthers’ coaching staff.
This would be the sixth club Gould has worked at.
He coached the Bulldogs, Panthers and Roosters and has worked for the Panthers and Warriors in senior management roles. He was also director of coaching at the Roosters and led a review into the Dragons three years ago.
One of the game’s most experienced player managers is acting behind the scenes as the negotiator and deal-maker between the Bulldogs and the Channel 9 commentator.
Gould, 62, is employed by the Warriors as a highly paid consultant to set up pathways in New Zealand similar to what he delivered for the Penrith Panthers.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Warriors have already been approached about releasing the two-time premiership winning coach.
They are looking at the request favourably because Covid has prevented Gould from doing the job at full capacity by regularly travelling to New Zealand.
Gould’s role at the Bulldogs would be as a general manager or director of football.
The club is cashed up with the backing of its Leagues Club and the corporate support of the Laundy family.
It is a position that hasn’t been filled at Belmore since the sacking of club legend Steve Price at the beginning of the year.
Despite the appointment of Trent Barrett, the Bulldogs have struggled since the beginning of the year and are long odds on favourites to win the wooden spoon.
Their situation will improve next year with the arrival of rising superstar Matt Burton from Penrith and Blues Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr from Melbourne Storm.
However, the Bulldogs board now believes the only way forward is via a major rebuild from grassroots development to the NRL squad, exactly as Gould did for the Panthers.
Penrith is now reaping the benefits of Gould’s infamous five-year-plan.
It would cost the Bulldogs around the $700,000-a-season mark to sign Gould.
His profile would however attract sponsors but more importantly good players.
Much was made of the appointment of legendary All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last year as a high-performance consultant.
However, because of Covid, his input has been restricted to Zoom meetings.
Barrett is desperately keen for Gould to come on board.
The pair are close friends and have often spoken about working together.
It was Gould who originally hired Barrett to work on the Panthers’ coaching staff.
This would be the sixth club Gould has worked at.
He coached the Bulldogs, Panthers and Roosters and has worked for the Panthers and Warriors in senior management roles. He was also director of coaching at the Roosters and led a review into the Dragons three years ago.
