Canterbury football boss Phil Gould has revealed the emotional toll that led to Trent Barrett sensationally quitting as coach on Sunday night.
The final decision came 48 hours after the Bulldogs lost 16-6 to Newcastle in Magic Round to fall to the bottom of the NRL ladder.
One journalist said she witnessed Barrett looking “physically distraught” the morning after that loss, and Gould confirmed it was a tough weekend for the man in question.
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“He made the decision on Sunday night. It was a bit of a rollercoaster through Saturday and Sunday, but late last night he rang, we had a long discussion… it was a very difficult discussion, very raw,” Gould told media outside the club’s Belmore headquarters on Monday.
“He poured his heart out a little bit. He put his heart into this job.
“It’s sad the way it ended, but hopefully he finds a little bit of respite now and a bit of peace.”
The bells were tolling for Barrett’s job following Friday’s loss to the previously last-placed Knights. Whichever team lost that game was going to be under immense pressure, and ultimately Barrett decided it was the last straw.
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The Bulldogs board had called an extraordinary meeting for Monday at which Barrett’s immediate future was the topic of debate, and there was a chance he would have been pushed out if he hadn’t walked.
Players were sent home from training as the club frantically figures out its next move.
Gould confirmed an interim coach will be appointed in the next 48 hours, and that person will be from inside the club.
For Barrett, he is unemployed and has plenty of time to reflect on a season and a half in charge of the Bulldogs.
“It’s been a tough few days. It’s been a tough few weeks actually,” Gould said.
“When a coach loses his job like this, or feels like he has to resign, we all feel like we’ve failed.
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“A lot of shock, lot of sadness. There’s been a lot of media speculation in recent weeks, and a lot of pressure put on the club, a lot of pressure put on Trent.
“In the end it takes its toll. He’s got a life to lead, he’s got a family to look after.
“I spoke to him last night, he wasn’t good. But he made the decision on his own terms, decided that’s what he needed to do.
“He felt like he had given his best, and he did. He’s a great coach, he’s a terrific young coach and highly respected here.
“I think in the end the pressure and the results probably got to him a little bit, and he decided to leave on his own terms.”
Gould categorically denied the suggestion he will act as interim coach himself.
“Not a chance in the world,” he said.
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