Canterbury Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has spoken out to deny he is being undermined by Phil Gould after the GM of football took training on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs started the season targeting a spot in the top eight of the NRL but currently sit bottom on the ladder after picking up just one win in the first seven games.
Gould steps in
Eyebrows were raised earlier this week when Gould took training with Barrett watching on from a distance. Gould is also reported to have ripped in to the players before the session following their below par performances.
It sparked suggestions that Barrett was being undermined. But the Bulldogs coach says that is not the case and Gould is there to help him.
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"It was my idea that he was on there," Barrett said. "He certainly does not undermine me in anything I do here. If anything he is here to help.
"Why wouldn't I use the resource of Phil Gould at the club? He is the GM of football, he is a very good premiership-winning coach. He is here to help and we're in it together. It's been blown into something that wasn't an issue."
They know who the boss is
Meanwhile Barrett also insists the Bulldogs players know who the boss is. But he will keep getting help from elsewhere to take the club up the ladder.
"No way (is it being diminished). The boys know who the coach is," Barrett said. "Gus doesn't interfere with any tactical things. He will give an opinion and give an opinion to me. We speak regularly. That's his job.
"If I think a different voice can help the team at a certain stage, why wouldn't I? I'd be silly not to.”
