Monday Buzz: Bulldogs’ boss Phil Gould backflips on Shane Flanagan stance

Phil Gould appears to have done an Olympic class backflip on Shane Flanagan and the reasons for his about-face are hard to understand, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Shane Flanagan has put his hand up for the Dragons coaching role. Picture: AAP

Phil Gould appears to have done an Olympic class backflip on the coaching future of Shane Flanagan.

On Friday he retweeted/endorsed an opinion piece in Nine Newspapers under the headline: “Why Shane Flanagan must never coach in the NRL again.”

In a scathing attack on Flanagan, columnist Darren Kane wrote it was inexplicable that the 2016 premiership winning coach would even be considered for the St George-Illawarra job.

He called on the NRL to block any deal between the Dragons and Flanagan.

This will not be happening. Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys confirmed over the weekend that Flanagan has served his time and paid for his mistakes.

Gould’s retweet of the story was a shock in that three years ago he gave your columnist a copy of a reference he sent to the independent commission in support of the 2016 premiership winning coach being allowed back to coaching.

Shane Flanagan (left) and the story from three years ago Phil Gould has backflipped on.

On Flanagan being caught communicating with the Sharks via emails during his suspension, Gould wrote in his reference: “I am having real trouble agreeing with the suggestion that this has been a ‘serious’ breach of NRL rules.

“I don’t see it as breaking NRL rules. I see it as being supportive and caring for the game, his club and his staff.

“I do not accept the notion that Mr Flanagan is not a fit and proper person.”

Gould does not return phone calls or text messages these days.

Why he has done such an about-face on Flanagan is a mystery.

It’s even harder to understand in that Flanagan’s son Kyle is a member of the Bulldogs’ top 30 squad.

Shane Flanagan is in the running for the Dragons’ coaching spot. Picture: AAP

Phil Gould has changed his tune on Shane Flanagan. Picture: Getty

No-one wants to see their boss involved in anything critical of their dad.

When Gould sacked Trent Barrett last year as Bulldogs coach, he made it clear from the very beginning that Flanagan would never be considered for the Canterbury job.

Eventually he landed the prized signature of Cameron Ciraldo.

St George-Illawarra however is a different story.

They appear certain to ignore the thoughts of Kane and Gould’s endorsement of his column.

We are expecting an announcement to be made this week that Flanagan will be appointed for three years.

Phil Gould’s retweet on a story about why Shane Flanagan should never coach again.

It is the right decision. This club needs an experienced hand.

They need someone with a track record of assembling strong squads from a position where the Dragons are at right now.

Saturday’s win over the Rabbitohs is proof the Dragons are in fact a decent football team.

That Anthony Griffin didn’t leave them in too bad a shape.

There is absolutely no reason to believe this club needs a Gus-style five-year-plan. Flanagan, with the right support staff, could lift them into finals contention next season. He is a proven winner.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Bulldogs’ boss Phil Gould backflips on Shane Flanagan stance