Des Hasler is downplaying his situation at the Canterbury Bulldogs, despite reports Dubbo’s Dean Pay is in the running to replace him in the near future.
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Hasler has come under increasing pressure this season, with his Bulldogs set to miss the finals for the first time since the coach’s arrival at Belmore in 2012.
Furthermore, 2017 is shaping as the least successful season of his illustrious career. Only in his rookie season at Manly in 2004, when his side won just nine games, did he fail to make finals.
Despite mounting pressure, and suggestions current Canberra assistant Pay and Hasler’s own assistant, Jim Dymock, are in the running to take over, Hasler said the topic of his future has never been raised despite a meeting with the Bulldogs board on Tuesday night.
"It was just a run of the mill board meeting discussing various issues and budgets, boring things like that," Hasler said.
"At the same time you've also got to reflect and the group is very united.
“We know it's been an up and down year, we are six wins from making the finals and the players want to work really hard, particularly for the fans.”
The subject of Hasler’s future intensified after Canterbury’s 30-point drubbing at the hands of Brisbane last week, with former Bulldogs captain Michael Ennis claiming Hasler should be cut.
"In all honesty, his time's up," Ennis told Fox Sports' On The Couch With Sterlo.
"They really haven't evolved, in my opinion, with the style of football they play."