Dean Pay quits as Canterbury Bulldogs coach with Trent Barrett in frame

Canterbury have parted ways with head coach Dean Pay after indicating they will begin talks with Trent Barrett

Dean Pay has decided to walk away from the struggling Bulldogs. Picture: AAP

Dean Pay has stepped down as Canterbury coach.

The club confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that both parties agreed it was in the best interests of Pay and the Bulldogs if he left immediately.

“I’d like to thank the Bulldogs for the opportunity to be the head coach at a club that has always meant so much to me,” said Pay.

Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill said it was a tough decision for the Bulldogs, particularly as it involved “someone who has been part of the Bulldogs family for a long time”.

“The fact is though that the club and Dean have decided that we needed to move in a different direction to take the team forward and Dean was in agreement that now was the right time for both parties to part ways.”

Assistant coach Steve Georgallis will act as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

The shock development comes after Hill formally told Panthers group chief executive Brian Fletcher that the Bulldogs would open negotiations with Penrith assistant coach Trent Barrett.

Well-placed sources revealed Hill and Pay met over the weekend with both parties aware it was time for the club to shift in another direction.

Pay had been worn down by his side’s lack of on-field success and the constant speculation over his future. Hill and Canterbury’s board knew Pay had to go.

The decision was made after report on Sunday of Canterbury’s interest in Barrett.

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Bulldogs chairman Lynne Anderson is expected to spend more time at Bulldogs HQ this week.

While Barrett remains a hot favourite to be appointed head coach, it is unlikely he would take charge at Belmore immediately. Those close to Barrett claim he wants to remain at Penrith this year in the hope of securing a premiership.

Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett has yet to be contacted by Canterbury

Canterbury is yet to lodge a formal offer for Barrett.

The drama comes as influential Panthers director Greg Alexander phoned Barrett on Sunday to address speculation about the probable move to Belmore.

“I rang ‘Baz’ last night,” Alexander said. “I told him he had to do what he had to do. I don’t think anyone would stand in the way of an assistant if he can get a head coaching role at another club.

“It’s been great to have Baz back at the club but if he decides he wants a head coaching role next year then that’s the nature of the beast.

“Naturally, we’d love him to stay given he’s been great for the club and he desperately wants to stay at Penrith this year. But we understand the goal of every coach to be the boss.”

An acquaintance claiming to represent English rugby union coach Eddie Jones contacted a Bulldogs director, with the pair having coffee last week.

It was claimed the acquaintance suggested Jones as a possible Bulldogs coach and that he would surround himself with a respected circle of rugby league assistants including Jason Ryles and Brett Kimmorley.

Canterbury though feels the time isn’t right to be experimenting with a successful rugby union coach untested in rugby league. The club has made discreet inquiries about English rugby league coach Shane Wane but interest is lukewarm.

Steve Georgallis will be the interim Bulldogs coach. Picture: Gregg Porteous

The TAB has tightened Canterbury from $2.75 into $2 for this year’s wooden spoon while the Bulldogs have drifted from $3 to $3.10 to beat St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium, Wollongong, this Friday night.

Canterbury have won two of nine games this season and are four competition points last on the NRL table.

Kevin Walters, Anthony Griffin, Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley have also been mentioned as Canterbury coaching candidates. Walters (Queensland coach), Fittler (NSW coach) and Daley appear happy with their current roles.

There was a push for Canterbury to chase Wayne Bennett with Michael Ennis as his assistant. That is unlikely. Canterbury will need to make a decision soon with a new coach wanting a say in the club’s retention and recruitment.

The Daily Telegraph