NRL 2020: Bulldogs react to ‘poisonous’ claim after Dean Pay quits – NEWS.com.au

Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill has denied their next coach will be walking into a poisonous environment as Canterbury searches for Dean Pays replacement.Pay was told on Monday he would not be in charge in 2021 and on Tuesday decided to quit immediately rather than see out the season.
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The Bulldogs are last on the ladder, winning just once in 2020 and have not made the finals since Pay took over in 2018.
The salary cap has been a mess since Des Hasler left in 2017 and Pay hasn’t had the chance to recruit quality players, being forced to make do with what NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent last night called a “reserve grade” side.
Former Manly mentor and Penrith assistant Trent Barrett is considered the frontrunner to coach the Dogs next year, and even interviewed for the gig before Pay had officially quit his post, Nine News reported.
Many have accused the Bulldogs of throwing Pay under the bus while salary cap woes and in-fighting at board level mean the next coach will have more than just on-field performances to worry about.
Asked by Nine’s Danny Weidler if the club was “too poisonous” to attract a high-class coach, Hill said: “No, absolutely not. We’re a big club, we understand that our role being such a big club in Sydney is there’s always going to be people who pick sides.”
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Hill also said the Dogs will explore all options when it comes to looking at life after Pay.
“Certainly from Sunday night once Dean and I had started to talk, we have to move forward,” Hill said. “There’s been conversations and we will continue to have conversations with prospective coaches.
“Trent (Barrett) is one of a number of coaches who have expressed an interest and we’ll work through that process now.
“We’re looking at all opportunities and that’s a matter of discussion with potential candidates.”
Pay’s former assistant Steve Georgallis will step in as interim coach until a full-time appointment is made.

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