Phil Gould has some brutal advice for the Cowboys: "Dig your own way out.''
November 10, 2010
The Daily Telegraph
IF the North Queensland Cowboys turn their fortunes around, it will be without the help of coaching guru Phil Gould. And that goes for the NSW Blues as well.
A brutally honest Gould said he would not continue to help the Cowboys after recently running the rule over the battling NRL club's operation, claiming it was up to them to "dig their way out".
Gould had been offered a 12-month consultancy role but said he had every faith in Cowboys coach Neil Henry.
However, he had a crack at the Cowboys player recruitment, saying it was catering for players looking for a second chance or "pension money".
NSW's most successful Origin coach also categorically ruled out any future involvement with the battling Blues, admitting "I have had my time".
Gould had been seen as the Cowboys' saviour after North Queensland's woeful 2010 in which they only missed out on the wooden spoon thanks to the salary cap-rorting Melbourne Storm.
But instead of offering a rescue plan, the two-time premiership coach provided some tough love.
Gould said he had done all he could after North Queensland made changes to their front office, support staff and player roster.
Gould said the Cowboys faced an uphill battle but hinted that as soon as they addressed recruitment they would turn things around.
"They have their work cut out for them," he told a Men of League charity function in Brisbane.
"What they need to do is get players playing to their potential, and they may become a club players will go to.
"At the moment I get the feeling that the only players going there are looking for a second chance or at the back end of their career looking for a bit of pension money.
"That's not a healthy recruitment drive.
"I don't think development has really kicked in up there.
"But they are aware of all this."
Gould believed if he hung around at the club he would only be undermining the under-pressure Henry.
"I told them on Friday I wouldn't be back," he said.
"I have done virtually all I can for them.
"Neil Henry has to dig his own way out.
"And I hope they turn it around - North Queensland is so important to the NRL.
"Neil is a talented bloke - he just has to extract it from the players and get them doing what he wants.
"If not, they will get another coach I guess."
Gould had also been thrust into the Origin limelight after Queensland romped to a record fifth straight series win this year.
But Gould - now a media personality - said he had no interest.
"It's six years since I last coached the Origin side and 10 years since I last had a club side," he said.
"Things have changed so much since then.
"It can be turned around quickly but someone has got to have the passion for it (but) I have had my time to be honest."
