The speculation lingered for an eternity but the Canterbury Bulldogs have now confirmed Trent Barrett as their new coach.
After sacking Dean Pay, the search was on for a replacement and the former Manly Sea Eagles coach in Barrett, got the nod.
Barrett joins as coach on a three-year deal from 2021.
Currently an assistant at the Penrith Panthers, Barrett thanked the Bulldogs for the opportunity.
“I’d like to thank the Canterbury-Bankstown Club for appointing me to the position of Head Coach and for giving me the opportunity to become part of the Bulldogs family,” Barrett said.
“The Club has a long and proud history of success in Rugby League and is a Club founded on strong work ethics and family values.
“I look forward to, and am excited by, the challenges ahead in terms of making this Club a serious competition force again.”
With a bevvy of coaches to choose from, the Bulldogs believe Barrett is the right man for them moving forward.
“We have acted swiftly to secure the services of Trent because we believe he is the right man to take our club forward,” said club CEO Andrew Hill.
“Having spoken to Trent on a number of occasions, we have been impressed with his vision for the future of our football team and how he will look to develop our players on and off the field.”