Phil Gould’s secret role in Jason Ryles call to rejects Dragons for rival

Phil Gould’s role in Jason Ryles’ shock call to reject the St George Illawarra Dragons’ coaching offer for a rival club has been revealed.

Jason Ryles and Phil Gould.

Jason Ryles has turned down an offer to be St George Illawarra’s next coach for the Melbourne Storm in a major blow for the Dragons.

Ryles had been firming to replace sacked coach Anthony Griffin at the Dragons, but The Daily Telegraph reports he has rejected the job in a shock move.

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The 44-year-old former NRL front-rower was the unbackable favourite to take the reigns at the Dragons, a club he played 156 games for.

But St George are now back to square one in their search for a new coach after Ryles knocked back a four-year deal to join the club.

“Jason notified us this morning that he no longer wanted to be considered for the role,” Dragons CEO Ryan Webb confirmed.

“It wasn’t the right time for him.

“We appreciate him being honest and rather find out now than in six months time that he didn’t feel comfortable.

“We will continue on our process with the other candidates and hopefully bring it to a head shortly.”

Ryles has reportedly instead agreed to join the Melbourne Storm in a coaching role.

Dragons premiership players Ben Hornby and Dean Young, who is currently an assistant at the Cowboys, are now candidates to be the next Dragons coach.

Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles has turned the Dragons down. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Gould’s secret role in Ryles call

According to The Daily Telegraph, Ryles consulted several people including Bulldogs football manager Phil Gould before making a call on his coaching future.

Gould publicly stated last week he didn’t think Ryles would join the Dragons, correctly predicting he would move to the Storm.

Gould told Nine’s 100% Footy: “I don’t even think it’s 50-50. I don’t think he’s going to the Dragons.

“I think Jason Ryles is probably a longer-term fix at the Melbourne Storm, if and when Craig Bellamy gives it away.”

It seems Gould’s instincts were right all along.

😉 https://t.co/Y2HG4U4C2s

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) May 31, 2023

In 2019, Gould conducted a review into the Dragons’ football department but didn’t complete it because he felt the club wasn’t undertaking a proper review.

NRL 2022 RD02 Sydney Roosters v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - Phil Gould. Picture: NRL Photos

Ryles set for Storm succession plan

It means Ryles is poised to take over from Craig Bellamy as Storm coach when the veteran mentor eventually decides to call it quits.

News Corp’s Brent Read tweeted: “He has agreed long term deal to return to Storm with understanding he will eventually take over from Craig Bellamy.

“Massive blow to Dragons. They thought they had him.”

Bellamy is contracted with the Storm until the end of 2027.

His unique situation means he has a rolling contract for each of those years and if he opts to retire, Bellamy would move into a senior football position, potentially overseeing the club’s next head coach.

Ryles’ move to Melbourne also likely puts an end to speculation Storm legend Billy Slater would take over from Bellamy as his long-term successor.

Slater is the current coach of the Queensland Maroons and has been coy on his future while stressing his commitment to the State of Origin side.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason and his family back to the Melbourne Storm,” Storm CEO Justin Rodski said.

Ryles will serve as an understudy to Craig Bellamy once again. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“Jason is a highly respected person in the game, he’s a talented coach and he will strengthen our football program across a number of different areas.

“Not only will Jason add further depth to our coaching ranks, but he will play an important role working with our pathways, academies, and junior representative programs in the coming years.

“He is a popular figure around our club with coaches, players, staff and our supporters and we can’t wait to see him back at AAMI Park.”

Ryles said he was excited by the opportunity to return to the Storm system.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make but I am very comfortable knowing I am returning to Storm and can’t wait to get back the Club,” Ryles said.

“This was a decision I made with my family, and I know it will be best for my coaching growth and development. I have an enormous amount of respect for the club and couldn’t resist the opportunity to return to work with Craig, Frank and the football department when it was presented.”

Ryles will end his term as an assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters immediately, after his negotiations with the Dragons were looked upon dimly by the Roosters board given they occurred just 18 months into a three-year deal at the club.

Ryles had reportedly promised the Roosters he would see out the duration of his three-year deal after the club was burned on previous occasions by assistants walking out early.

Ryles is reportedly set to join the Melbourne Storm in a coaching role. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“The Roosters have a very strong board, and they take a very black and white approach to business, so they have decided that they actually want Jason Ryles to leave as their defensive coach, effective immediately,” James Hooper told Fox League’s NRL 360 last week.

Having lost Adam O’Brien to Newcastle in 2018 in extremely similar circumstances, the Roosters are clearly fed up with losing talented coaches midway through their contracts.

“The Roosters feel that you shake hands with somebody, and you look them in the eye and Jason Ryles initially began that job as their defensive coach,” Hooper said.

“He gave his word that he would be there for the three seasons but we’re not even 18 months into it and he’s now going to end up at the Red V.

“In all likelihood, Ryles will be announced next week (at the Dragons). He can then make a clean break and make the transition straight into the Dragons.

“Ryan Carr will still be the caretaker coach this year, but it allows Jason to go and find a head of recruitment, a new General Manager of Football and the assistants that he wants to work with.”

It’s rumoured Ryles’ departure has opened the door for recently retired Roosters champions Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend to further develop their coaching.