Cameron Ciraldo photo leaves NRL world in a frenzy: 'Done deal'
Penrith assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo has set tongues wagging in the NRL after being pictured in a secret meeting with a Canterbury Bulldogs powerbroker.
The Bulldogs are on the hunt for a new full-time coach after sacking Trent Barrett earlier in the season, with Ciraldo emerging as the one of the most sought-after mentors in the NRL.
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Ciraldo, off-contract at the end of the season, is often credited as the architect of Penrith's premiership-winning defence and has been declared "a head coach in waiting" by current Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary.
The Wests Tigers thought they'd done enough to lure the respected assistant coach to the club from 2023 after reportedly offering him a massive five-year deal, only for Ciraldo to turn them down earlier this month.
Now it appears as though the Bulldogs are in the box seat to secure Ciraldo's services after he was spotted in a secret lunch meeting on Wednesday.
A photo has sent whispers of Canterbury's pursuit of the hottest coach on the market into overdrive. 🤯#9WWOS #NRLhttps://t.co/SH0z03K5cV https://t.co/xoJXtZ7Dp0
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) July 20, 2022
Images show Ciraldo sitting down at The Locker Room in Homebush with his manager George Mimis, his accountant and Craig Laundy of Laundy Hotels - which is the Bulldogs’ major sponsor.
Bulldogs coy on Cameron Ciraldo links
Ciraldo and the Bulldogs have remained tight-lipped about the meeting, with football boss Phil Gould responding "no" to a question about whether the Penrith assistant had met the club's board.
Nevertheless, the meeting has sent the NRL rumour mill into overdrive, with multiple media reports claiming Ciraldo's move to the Bulldogs is as good as a "done deal".
#BREAKING: 9News has evidence which shows @NRL_Bulldogs is well in the hunt to sign Cameron Ciraldo as their head coach.@Danny_Weidler has the details. #9News pic.twitter.com/MchxliwZTO
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) July 20, 2022
Cameron Ciraldo is Bulldogs bound pic.twitter.com/totZqpeXQP
— Bulldogs Kennel (@BulldogsKennel) July 20, 2022
I’m hearing Cameron Ciraldo is a done deal @NRL_Bulldogs from next year, big news at Belmore and for @PenrithPanthers @2GB873 #Drive #NRL
— Jim Wilson (@JimWilsonMedia) July 20, 2022
Cameron Ciraldo to Bulldogs is happening. What a great Gus coup. Credit to Mick Potter for the recent performances which no doubt helped. The great thing is, Ciraldo will also ensure Burton stays. The future is very very bright. #proudtobeaBulldog
— Cameron Bell (@CameronBell) July 20, 2022
Cameron Ciraldo is a big win for the Bulldogs. Trent Barrett had already failed at a club and was a poor decision from a desperate board who gave Trent to much power.
Under Gus, there is already trust, they’d be on the same page and Ciraldo would need to coach and only coach !— NRL IMMORTAL (@NRLIMMORTAL) July 20, 2022
I can confirm media reports that CAMERON CIRALDO is on his way to coach the Dogs from 2023 on either a 3 or 5 year-deal. I can also reveal there’ll be no shortage of applicants for the vacant assistant coaches positions. One could even go to an internal applicant. #pantherpride pic.twitter.com/OBkFQ4v7fq
— Peter Lang (@PeterVLang) July 20, 2022
Ciraldo was also being considered for the Warriors head coaching position until the club announced fellow Penrith assistant Penrith assistant Andrew Webster as its successor to Nathan Brown.
The Tigers moved on from Ciraldo's snub by announcing a succession plan that will see veteran Tim Sheens coach the club for the next two seasons, before Benji Marshall takes over in 2025.
Marshall and Robbie Farah, who played under Sheens in the Tigers' 2005 premiership victory, will serve as assistant coaches for two years from 2023.
with AAP
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