Adam O’Brien has quickly emerged as a coaching target following his exit from the Newcastle Knights.
The news comes just months after being axed by the Newcastle Knights who finished with the dreaded wooden spoon in 2025.
The Manly Sea Eagles were reportedly in talks with O'Brien, but a new contender for his services has suddenly emerged this week.
The Canterbury Bulldogs are reportedly interested in adding O’Brien to their coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season to help bolster their coaching depth according to the Daily Telegraph.
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O’Brien parted ways with Newcastle in August after six years in charge, with intense speculation mounting during the last three years as the Knights struggled.
It has been reported O’Brien has already met with Bulldogs officials to discuss a potential role at Belmore, after previously holding talks with the Sea Eagles.
The move would not be as head coach, with Cameron Ciraldo firmly in charge after leading the Bulldogs for several seasons, but an appointment as an assistant is part of a review aimed at getting the Bulldogs to the premiership they have been building towards under Phil Gould.
Instead, O’Brien is being considered for a specialist position, with the Bulldogs disappointed that such a promising season ended with back-to-back finals losses.
Current attack mentor Jason Taylor is expected to shift into a different role if O’Brien joins the staff in the attacking position.
No deal has been finalised, but O’Brien remains one of the most high-profile free agents in the coaching market and is now heavily tipped to join the Bulldogs next year.
Despite a tumultuous tenure at the Knights, O’Brien was previously a successful assistant coach at the Roosters and a key cog in their success at Bondi.
His credentials as an assistant, rather than a head coach, are still highly regarded in the NRL and could see him regain success in the coaching ranks, potentially building towards a head coaching opportunity in the years to come.
In a period where there has been significant movement in coaching appointments recently, the Bulldogs have signalled their intention to not rest on their laurels and ensure they are in the best position to be a contender again in 2026.