Panthers star Nathan Cleary wants Trent Barrett to stay at the club and says he played a vital role in turning them into a top-four side.
Cleary first worked with Barrett almost eight years ago during a Panthers halfback academy. The former Manly coach returned to the club as an assistant to Ivan Cleary this season.
Canterbury have offered Barrett a three-year deal to become head coach following Dean Pay's departure. The Panthers assistant is expected to take the job at the end of the year.
Cleary said he wanted Barrett to remain at the Panthers despite the offer.
"I don’t want to make it too awkward but that’s definitely what I’m thinking," Cleary said about whether he had asked Barrett to stay. "In saying that, there is only 16 head coach jobs out there so, if he needs to do it and that's the best opportunity for him, then I don’t think anyone will hold that against him."
Cleary said Barrett's football brain had given the Panthers the platform needed for success this season. They are second on the ladder below the Eels.
Cleary first worked with Barrett almost eight years ago during a Panthers halfback academy.Credit: Getty
Barrett was head coach at Manly from 2016-18. He is expected to be announced as head coach of the Bulldogs in the coming days.
"Obviously I would love him to stay," Cleary said. "I wish he wouldn’t go. I’ve got a good relationship with Baz [Barrett] and he helps me out so much and helps out the team so much ... we will just have to see what happens."
Barrett has been lauded for overhauling the Panthers' attack this season, which has resulted in 218 points across nine games. The Bulldogs are desperate for Pay's replacement to improve their 94 points from nine games.
"We had the players to do it ... he’s given us some definite foundations to build off and I think it has suited our team. We’ve still got a long way to go and we are still improving but I think Baz has been a massive asset to improving our attack," Cleary said. "He’s been massive to me. I can’t speak highly enough of what Baz has done."
Pay’s contract wasn't due to expire until the end of October but, after just one win this season, it became clear he wouldn’t be re-signed. Assistant Steve Georgallis has taken over as interim head coach.
Bulldogs star Kieran Foran on Monday said Pay's departure was still a shock for the squad.
"There was no indication from our point of view," he said. "It caught everyone by surprise this morning but ... the club has made that decision and we have got to get on with it."
Foran said he knew little about Barrett personally and that a decision on Pay's replacement was in the hands of the club.
"All I know about Trent is he was a great player, he had the head coaching role at Manly for a few years and now he’s an assistant under Ivan [Cleary] at the Panthers … so all I know is those facts," he said.