Phil Gould, the Bulldogs’ general manager of football, recently disclosed that he nearly recruited Kieran Foran as part of the coaching staff at Belmore. These discussions occurred prior to Foran’s unexpected return to the Manly Sea Eagles. After a distinguished playing career, which culminated in his retirement at the end of last season with over 300 first-grade appearances and 34 Tests for New Zealand, Foran had begun exploring media opportunities.
During an appearance on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus, Gould elaborated on his discussions with Foran. He noted that Cameron Ciraldo, the Bulldogs’ head coach, had encountered Foran and discussed the possibility of him returning to Sydney in a coaching role. The proposal included working with the club’s academy programs, focusing on mentoring young players and coaches at a manageable pace. Gould mentioned that these "secret meetings" had progressed well until reports surfaced of Foran’s decision to go back to Manly.
Instead of stepping into a coaching role at the Bulldogs, Foran opted to join Manly as a senior coach under Anthony Seibold. However, Seibold was sacked just three games into the 2026 season, leaving Foran in charge of a Sea Eagles team seeking its first win. Gould remarked that Foran likely did not anticipate how quickly circumstances would change, creating a pivotal moment in his career.
Admiring Foran’s resilience and understanding of the game, Gould highlighted the potential impact Foran could have had within the Bulldogs’ structure, particularly benefiting their academy. His decision to embrace the more prominent role at Manly ultimately changed the trajectory of his coaching career. As Foran prepares to lead his team in his first official match against the Dolphins, it marks a significant turn from a potential coaching role in the Bulldogs’ academy to his current position at the helm of the Sea Eagles.