Pay calls it a day with battling Bulldogs
DEAN Pay has quit as Bulldogs coach with immediate effect after a tumultuous twoyear tenure at Canterbury.
Current Bulldogs assistant coach Steve Georgallis will be the club’s interim coach for the rest of this season after Pay decided to walk mid-season having being told he would not be offered a new deal for 2021. Pay addressed his players on Tuesday morning and then drove out of the club.
The development comes as Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill formally told Panthers group chief executive Brian Fletcher that the Bulldogs would open negotiations with Penrith assistant coach Trent Barrett. Hill and Pay met over the weekend with both parties aware it was time for the club to shift in another direction.
While Barrett remains the 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.
The Bulldogs confirmed Pay‘s exit via statement, saying both parties agreed that it was in the best interests of the individual and the club to part ways.
The decision was reached after a meeting between Pay and the club following Saturday‘s loss to the Broncos.
Hill thanked Pay for his contribution.
“These decisions are always tough, particularly when they involve someone who has been part of the Bulldogs family for a long time,” Hill said.
Pay had been worn down by his side’s lack of on-field success and the constant speculation over his future.
It’s believed Pay was given eight to 10 weeks to prove he could turn the team around.