Trent Barrett quits as head coach of Canterbury Bulldogs

Trent Barrett has stood down from his role as head coach of NRL side Canterbury Bulldogs with immediate effective following Friday’s loss to Newcastle.

The 44-year-old took over the head coaching reins at the Bulldogs ahead of the 2021 season. He previously coached Manly Sea Eagles from 2016 to 2018.

During Barrett’s tenure at Canterbury, the team managed just five wins in 33 games, with only two coming this season.

A club statement read: “Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs head coach Trent Barrett has today stood down from his role, effective immediately.

“We would sincerely like to thank Trent for all of his hard work and effort over the past 18 months in what has been a very difficult time for the club.

“As this is a challenging time for all parties, the club would like to respect Trent’s privacy and wish him all the best for the future.”

Former Leeds coach David Furner is currently on Canterbury’s staff as an assistant coach and is likely to take over on an interim basis as the club seek a long-term appointment.

The Bulldogs recruited heavily ahead of this season, bringing the likes of Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai Junior and Paul Vaughan to the club.

Fiji powerhouse Viliame Kikau and Parramatta Eels hooker Reed Mahoney will be joining the Doggies in 2023.

But it has been a woeful start to the season for Canterbury. They sit at the bottom of the NRL ladder after 10 rounds with a points difference of -125.

Elsewhere in the NRL, the Dolphins have signed outside-back Edrick Lee on a two-year deal. The club will become the NRL’s newest club in 2023.

Lee has made more than 100 appearances in the NRL for Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights.

He represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2016. Lee