Dean Pay Calls It Quits As Canterbury Bulldogs Head Coach

Dean Pay has walked out on the Bulldogs' head coaching job.

With just one win to his name this season, off-contract Pay met with Canterbury officials today to announce his resignation, effective immediately.

It's understood current assistant Steve Georgalis will act as interim head coach until a replacement is found.

Bulldogs Chief Executive Andrew Hill thanked Pay in a statement released by the club: "These situations are always tough, particularly when they involve 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.

"We did not rush into this decision and have taken our time to look at what was best for the club in regard to success moving forward.

"I'd like to thank Dean for his contribution over the past three years and all the hard work and passion he has given to the club."

Following their demoralising 26-8 defeat at the hands of the struggling Broncos over the weekend, pressure was clearly beginning to mount on Pay.

That pressure became heightened when talks surfaced of the Bulldogs lining up former Manly Sea Eagles head coach Trent Barrett as Pay's potential successor.

With this decision to turn his back on the club after eight losses in nine games this season, 51-year-old Pay finally ends months of speculation regarding his future in Canterbury.

Now, according to Nine Wide World of Sport, Laurie Daley has urged prime target Barrett to snub the approaches of the Bulldogs.

Speaking on Sky News Radio, the NRL icon warned Barrett he could destroy his reputation by joining Canterbury - citing 'boardroom drama' and 'behind-the-scenes noises' within the club.

"I think a lot of people would have liked to have seen Dean Pay given another 12 months, given they've got some money at their disposal to be able to go out and chase some players. But obviously that's come to an end," Daley said.

"I think the Bulldogs would be an attractive proposition for a coach if they didn't have all this boardroom drama going on. I think if you had that stability there and you knew you had the support, I think they'd be in a good position because they've got money available, they can go to the market, they can attract players.

"But with the ongoing behind-the-scenes noises, you couldn't say to someone with certainty, 'Go there'; because you don't know what's going to happen in 18 months time. You may not be the flavour of the month and you may be out of a job very quickly.

"If it's Trent, he's got one more opportunity. If he fails at his next job, well he's no longer going to be a first-grade coach. I think if he sits back and waits, he will get an opportunity somewhere down the path."

Topics: Rugby League, nrl, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

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