SYDNEY - Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said the search for a new coach for the 2009 National Rugby League season had already begun after Steve Folkes today told the club he would not seek renewal at the end of the year.
Folkes today became the fifth NRLcoach who will leave his club at the end of the season, joining Brisbane's Wayne Bennett, North Queensland's Graham Murray, Canberra's Neil Henry and St George Illawarra's Nathan Brown.
And Bulldogs boss Greenberg has wasted no time in contemplating a replacement, saying he was already canvassing candidates and wanted to name the 2009 coach sooner rather than later.
"It begun about five minutes after he walked out of my office," Greenberg said of his search.
"We are going to move quickly because we need to."
He confirmed current assistant Kevin Moore and Super League coaches Mick Potter and Daniel Anderson - the former Kiwis and New Zealand Warriors mentor - would all being considered for the vacant position.
Greenberg says he will consult with the players' leadership group before nominating a candidate to the board for approval.
And he has guaranteed Folkes will see out the remainder of his contract at the club.
"He is the coach through to the end of 2008," he said.
Folkes did not attend today's press conference to announce his decision, but released a statement through his management company saying he was keen to continue his coaching career.
"I have been giving the matter plenty of thought in recent weeks and I feel the decision is the right one and not only for me but for the club as well," Folkes said.
"My decision will end the speculation that's been rife for the past few months about my future and will enable me and the players to get on with the job of winning football matches and being in contention at the business end of the season.
"I reckon I still have another 10 years ahead of me as a coach and this decision will enable me to reinvent myself once my obligations with the Bulldogs finish."
