Bulldogs chairman on Phil Gould-Trent Barrett power shift.
Canterbury chairman John Khoury has addressed talk of a power struggle between Phil Gould and Trent Barrett.
Canterbury chairman John Khoury has fired back at detractors of his under-fire general manager of football, Phil Gould, declaring: “He’s not doing anything behind anyone’s back.”
“We have to respect his leadership - I don’t see what the problem is,” Khoury said. “He has my full support.”
Gould assumed the heading coaching role at Belmore on Wednesday, controlling a team meeting and then taking over a field session.
It consigned coach Trent Barrett to a background role.
The Daily Telegraph sent Gould a text on Thursday seeking comment but his response of “no thanks” was accompanied with a laughing emoji.
Gould intervened after Canterbury lost six successive matches and sit outright last on the NRL competition ladder – despite the club’s big off-season recruitment drive.
“He’s not doing anything behind anyone’s back,” Khoury said. “It’s within the football club with football club staff.
“Phil’s track record speaks for itself and that’s why he is there. I would argue he’s the most qualified person in rugby league.
“We have to respect his leadership and he has my full support. We are all under pressure because we’re not winning, right?
“And they (Gould and Barrett) both want to win, like all of us, and they are working hard to do that.
“Phil is the head of football, that’s his job, to be involved in the football department. I don’t see what the problem is.”
Khoury denied any simmering internal tension between Gould and Barrett.
“Trent loves him, Trent loves him. I wasn’t there (at training) but I know they work well together. They are professionals, mate,” Khoury said.
“Phil runs the football department and I know he has a close relationship with Trent.
“It’s not the position of a board or director to get operationally involved in the day-to-day running of football operations.
“There is nothing more for me to say.”
Former Bulldogs premiership-winning star Braith Anasta said this week that the club had “gone backwards” under Gould and Barrett.
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton preferred not comment. As of late Thursday, Gould – prolific on Twitter - had kept essentially quiet on social media.
His only post, in response to a question, read: “As long as they are bagging me, they are leaving someone else alone. That is a bonus.”
Canterbury play the Sydney Roosters this Saturday afternoon at Accor Stadium.
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