Phil Gould warned Trent Barrett not to take on ‘toxic’ Bulldogs job

Phil Gould is under pressure to pick the right coach for Canterbury after Trent Barrett quit just 10 games into the season.

Phil Gould has a biog decision to make. NRL Imagery

Phil Gould says the Bulldogs need to endure more short-term pain as they search for long-term gain after Trent Barrett quit as coach.

News broke on Monday Barrett had stepped down just 10 games into the season despite being contracted until the end of 2023. Canterbury is sitting on the bottom of the ladder, with just two wins this year.

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Addressing the media on Monday, Gould — the Bulldogs’ general manager of football — said it was Barrett’s decision to walk away, denying claims the former NSW playmaker jumped before he was pushed.

The development comes just two weeks after Gould said Barrett was the “long-term coach for the club” and “will be the coach of the Bulldogs long after I’m gone”.

On NRL 360, Braith Anasta accused Gould of acting like “Pinocchio”.

“Well, you’re not laughing now Phil after saying that only a couple of weeks ago,” Anasta said.

“That’s Pinocchio there. Saying that his job is safe and that he’s going to be there long after Gus. He’s telling lies because Barrett’s gone and he’s still there.”

Gould told Nine on Monday night “I don’t give a damn” about people questioning his role in Barrett’s departure, as he opened up on his claim in 2020 where he told Barrett not to accept the Bulldogs coaching job because the place was “toxic”.

Trent Barrett is gone. NRL photos.

Phil Gould is in charge of Canterbury’s football operations.

In September 2020, when Barrett was an assistant coach at Penrith, Gould said: “If I was associated with Trent Barrett in any way, shape or form, I think I would be advising him to reconsider because I think this is going to deteriorate into a real mess in the coming weeks.

“I just can’t see any way out and I think it’s too much for him to take on at this time.

“The Bulldogs are an absolute mess behind the scenes. It is a toxic mess.”

Speaking about those comments on Monday, Gould said: “I can remember on this show two years ago, I wasn’t involved with the Bulldogs, but I recommended it was a tough job and I wouldn’t be taking it if I was him.

“Unfortunately, it’s worn him out.”

Canterbury needs to appoint a new coach, with premiership-winning mentors like Shane Flanagan and Paul Green being touted as possible replacements.

Anasta said if the Dogs don’t get that key decision right, then Gould will be under pressure.

“Whoever the next coach is, is going to be very, very important,” he said on NRL 360. “And I think for Gus as well because if Gus doesn’t make the right decision here and get it right, not only will the coach be gone but I think he’ll be gone, going through two coaches.”